Tura MDC Bernard N Marak has written to Grahambell A Sangma, Executive Member in charge of Taxation in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) regarding alleged unlawful taxation without the Governor’s approval.
During the 13th GHADC session held last March, Marak reminded that Sangma acknowledged that the tax imposed by the department on trading licences for non-tribal and tribal traders lacked the Governor’s approval as required under Paragraph 8 of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Marak questioned the authority under which the department continued to levy these taxes without securing the necessary constitutional sanction, rendering the tax collection process illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional. It also, in his opinion, opens up the council to legal action for financial misconduct.
He noted that the GHADC has failed to clear over 40 months of salary arrears for its employees even while collecting revenue through supposedly unauthorised taxes.
Marak warned that if a satisfactory response is not provided within 10 days, he will pursue legal action for these violations.
