Contractors demolish tents after shopkeepers refuse to pay demanded tax
SARLAHI, Sept 16: Contractors have demolished tents of fruit and vegetable sellers along the East-West Highway after their owners refused to pay additional tax amount. Ashok Sah, who sells vegetables in a cart, informed that the municipality fixed a tax amount of Rs.12 per day but the contractors asked Rs.40 per day from the vegetable and fruit sellers.
Residents demand stringent laws against contractors
"They threatened us and were forcing to pay Rs 30 to Rs 40 as tax," said Sah. "When we told them that we are not ready to pay tax more than what is determined by the municipality, they demolished our tents and tied four of our carts with chain."
Binod Kapur who has been selling fruits on the highway since the last two decades laments that the contractor's entrusted with the responsibility of collecting tax are making it difficult for them to make a living.
"They are forcefully collecting huge amount of tax stating they have to collect Rs. 5 million," said Kapur.
According to him, contractors misbehave with the women and children if they refused to pay the demanded tax. Not just that, they even scold you if you ask for receipt of the paid tax. On Saturday, contractors misbehaved with journalists for capturing the picture of demolished tents. Gyanu Yonjan, a member of the contractor groups, claimed that they have accepted the contract to raise Rs 5 million in tax revenue for the municipality. To meet that target, he claimed that they are collecting tax. "Some of them refused to pay the tax stating all shops were owned by a single individual," said Yonjan, adding, "We have demolished tents of such people only."
Man Bahadur Khadka, mayor of Lalbandi Municipality stated that he will take stern actions against the contractors if evidence against the contractors is provided. Chief District Officer, Dworna Parsad Pokharel informed that no one is allowed to collect tax more than what is determined by the local unit.
