MCCI extends Rs 1 lakh flood relief to Tuli
An 11-member team of the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), led by its president Tsukti Longkumer, visited Changtongya and Tuli town on September 11 for coordination meetings with the Changtongya Town Business Union (CTBU) and Business Association Tuli (BAT), calling for greater unity among business bodies across Mokokchung district.
The MCCI team conveyed that the chamber was not only for Mokokchung town but for the entire district, including Changtongya, Tuli and Mangkolemba.
The discussions focused on strengthening coordination among business bodies, addressing common market challenges and exploring ways to develop Mokokchung district as a stronger commercial centre for neighbouring districts, particularly those in Eastern Nagaland.
During the meeting, MCCI executive member Tsukjemwati Kichu said areas such as Changtongya, Tuli, Mangkolemba and the Tzürangkong area had considerable commercial potential and challenged whether Changtongya could develop as a market serving neighbouring areas of Longleng and Tamlu.
MCCI president Tsukti Longkumer also stressed the need for local businesses to attract customers, identify opportunities and expand their markets. He said Tuli, given its geographical location, could have developed further as a commercial centre and questioned why the town had not grown to its potential.
The discussions also highlighted challenges faced by local businesses from sellers coming from outside the state, including vendors arriving in trucks and other vehicles to sell goods in rural areas or during weekly bazaars.
According to the MCCI, local businesses are required to comply with registration, GST and other regulations, while concerns were raised over whether outside sellers operating through temporary or informal arrangements follow the same requirements.
The chamber also argued that bringing goods and markets from outside without corresponding local business activity could affect the circulation of money within the district.
Representatives of the Changtongya Town Business Union (CTBU) said they had initially understood MCCI to be an organisation primarily representing businesses in Mokokchung town. However, they said they had generally followed decisions taken by MCCI concerning the market and expressed support for greater coordination.
The CTBU representatives said a common set of guidelines from MCCI could help business bodies understand their roles and coordinate better.
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The MCCI and business representatives also emphasised that the business community should function as one community without discrimination based on race, creed or religion.
Longkumer further raised the possibility of Mokokchung district becoming a commercial centre for neighbouring districts, asking whether the district could become “a shoulder to lean on” for neighbouring districts in terms of trade and markets.
The need for business bodies across the district to come under one umbrella was therefore stressed during the meetings.
The MCCI said its building in Mokokchung, for which the chamber acquired the land and constructed the building, was intended to serve the wider business community collectively.
It may be noted that CTBU, Business Association Tuli along with Mangkolemba Business body had earlier expressed interest in affiliating with MCCI, although the modalities and guidelines for such affiliation are yet to be formulated. The business bodies are expected to hold further discussions on the matter. MCCI is also scheduled to visit Mangkolemba in the future.
Meanwhile, the MCCI donated ₹1 lakh as relief assistance to flood-affected people in Tuli and surrounding areas through Imsenperong Wati, NCS, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Tuli Sub-Division.
