The shopkeepers in Gola Bazaar in Tashichhoeling Gewog, previously know was Sibsu, are worried of tax in the light of dwindling businesses. They say they face a fierce competition from people across the border.
It has been about a year since the Local Area Plan of Gola Town got approved. The old town was once a busy commercial hub to four Gewogs.
Most people in the locality did not have a proper thram or land registration certificate.
Even as they wait for the Lagthrams to come; there is a general feeling that doing business will prove to be more difficult than anticipated.
“It is difficult to match with Indian traders. They bring goods at a cheaper price. For us we need to pay business sales tax at the entry point. The business that takes us a year, take just one day for them,” said the Town Representative, Deo Kumar Gurung.
A shopkeeper, Ranjeet Gurung said they pay sales tax at the checkpoint while importing goods from Nagarkata and Siliguri. “These taxes impact us while doing business since the margin of profit, after paying taxes, is very minimal.”
The competition from Indian Traders comes especially during the Sunday Market, where goods are sold at cheap prices.
For the Bhutanese counterpart, they worry about paying the ever increasing Business Income Tax (BIT) even when most of their businesses are failing.
“If you visit Sunday Market you will find groceries and other items similar to ones we bring in. They sell at a lesser price,” said another shopkeeper, Suk Bahadur Subba. He said despite the dwindling business, the Customs collects BIT and does not understand their situation.
Given the competition, it is unlikely that the Gola Town, which once served as a regional commercial hub, will live up to its past.
Gola Town has over 70 landholders.
