The Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) has urged the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) to review its practice of issuing special or temporary commercial permits to outside establishments for conducting short-term sales in Mokokchung town.
In a representation to the Chief Executive Officer of the MMC, adopted pursuant to resolutions unanimously passed at its Executive Council meeting on September 5, the MCCI said the issue should be viewed not merely as one concerning individual permissions but as a matter affecting the long-term economic sustainability of the town and the interests of its permanent business community.
The MCCI said permanent businesses form an integral part of Mokokchung’s economic and social fabric, operating throughout the year while contributing through employment, rentals, taxes, municipal and sanitation fees, licences and other statutory obligations.
It noted that businesses are also required to comply with various laws and regulatory frameworks such as GST, FSSAI norms, consumer protection regulations and product standards, depending and other applicable rules.
Beyond statutory obligations, the Chamber said local businesses contribute to the socioeconomic life of the town through sponsorships, donations, support to local institutions and participation in community activities.
Concern over limited market
In the representation issued by MCCI president, Tsukti Longkumer and general secretary, Limalenden Longkumer, the MCCI said the market in Mokokchung is comparatively small, and the purchasing capacity of the local population is finite. The same pool of consumers and disposable income sustains the permanent businesses operating in the town.
According to the Chamber, temporary sales event offering products that directly compete with goods already available from local establishments can have a disproportionately significant impact on permanent businesses.
While such events may last only for a limited period, permanent businesses that loses sales during a temporary sales period nevertheless continue to bear expenses such as rent, salaries, electricity, taxes, fees and other expenses.
It cautioned that if temporary sales become frequent, their cumulative impact could become increasingly difficult for permanent establishments to absorb.
Short-term revenue versus long-term sustainability
The MCCI clarified that it was not opposed to legitimate commerce, competition or activities that benefit consumers. However, it stressed the need to distinguish between short-term commercial activity and long-term economic development.
The Chamber said a temporary establishment could enter Mokokchung, conduct sales for a limited period and subsequently leave, whereas permanent establishments remained committed to the town throughout the year.
It, therefore, urged the municipal authority to look beyond permit fees collected from temporary operators and assess the wider economic consequences of such permissions.
It said the objective of municipal policy should therefore be to ensure that Mokokchung’s commercial ecosystem remains healthy and productive in the long term, rather than collecting short-term revenue from individual temporary permits.
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Bombay Make Up Bazar cited
The MCCI cited the recent operation of the “Bombay Make Up Bazar” as a case in point. The business operated in Mokokchung from August 18 to 28 under a special permit issued by the MMC, which the Chamber said had a significant adverse impact on permanent businesses dealing in similar products.
The MCCI said the situation was further aggravated when the MMC issued another special permit to the same temporary business, extending its presence from August 29 to September 5, immediately after the initial period.
The Chamber said repeated permissions raised fundamental questions about the purpose and consequences of temporary commercial permits, particularly when outside businesses directly compete with establishments that have invested in the town and continue to bear the costs of maintaining a permanent presence.
It urged the MMC to review the present practice of issuing and extending such permits, stating that short-term revenue should not come at the expense of the confidence of the permanent business community or the long-term health of Mokokchung’s commercial ecosystem.
Calls for precautionary approach
Given the limited size of the local market, the MCCI said special or temporary commercial permits should not ordinarily be issued for activities that directly compete with existing permanent businesses.
It suggested that such permissions be considered only where there is a compelling reason, a genuine unmet need, or a clear and demonstrable benefit to Mokokchung’s broader economic interests.
At the same time, the chamber clarified that it was not seeking an absolute ban on all temporary commercial activities. It acknowledged that exceptional events could provide economic, tourism, consumer or other public benefits.
However, it stressed that exceptional permissions should remain exceptional and should not evolve into an alternative commercial model operating alongside permanent businesses.
MCCI seeks consultation
The MCCI also called for consultation with the permanent business community before decisions are taken on temporary commercial activities.
It said consultation with the chamber would enable the MMC to understand prevailing market conditions, identify businesses and sectors likely to be affected and assess whether a proposed temporary sale could cause economic disruption.
The chamber emphasised that such consultation would not amount to a veto over the statutory powers of the municipal authority, but would provide an institutional mechanism for more informed decision-making.
It therefore requested the MMC to establish a formal consultation mechanism with the MCCI before granting special or temporary commercial permits, particularly for goods or services already being offered by permanent establishments in Mokokchung.
Seeks transparent permit policy
The MCCI further urged the MMC to formulate clear guidelines governing special and temporary commercial permits.
It proposed that the policy cover the circumstances in which temporary permits may be considered, maximum duration and frequency of such permits, criteria for determining whether a proposed activity is beneficial to the town;, compliance with all applicable taxation, consumer protection, food safety and product-quality and other requirements; safeguards against unfair competition with permanent establishments; consultation with MCCI and other relevant stakeholders before approval; and appropriate fees and conditions reflecting the economic and civic impact of such activities.
According to the Chamber, a transparent policy would benefit both the MMC and the business community by ensuring that permits are issued according to consistent principles rather than on an ad hoc basis.
Six-point request
The MCCI requested the MMC to reconsider the present practice of issuing special or temporary commercial permits for short-term sales within Mokokchung town; refrain from granting such permits routinely, particularly where the proposed activity directly competes with existing permanent businesses; and consider them only in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear benefit to Mokokchung’s wider economic interests.
It also sought mandatory consultation with the MCCI before granting such permissions, formulation of a clear and consistent permit policy, and review of permits already issued, if any, in light of their broader economic implications.
The Chamber reiterated that its position was not against healthy competition or legitimate economic activity, but was aimed at ensuring a level playing field and the long-term sustainability of Mokokchung’s commercial ecosystem.
“The permanent business community has invested in Mokokchung, operated through difficult periods and continued to contribute to the town’s economy and society year after year,” the MCCI said, urging the municipal authority to take their interests into consideration while framing commercial policies.
The Chamber expressed hope that the MMC would view the representation in a constructive spirit and initiate dialogue towards establishing a fair, transparent and sustainable framework for commercial activity in Mokokchung.
