A Tax Too Far: Gogoi Says Assam Businesses Suffocating Under ‘Mami Tax’ Regime

Launching a fierce political broadside against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi has alleged that an unofficial system of extortion — which he described as the “Mami Tax” — has taken deep root in the state under the BJP government, leaving the business community demoralised and trade in disarray.

The remarks were made at a programme in Philobari, Tinsukia district, held of late, and the video of the event was uploaded today on Gogoi’s official Facebook page. In the clip, the Congress leader is seen addressing a public gathering where he accused the Sarma-led government of institutionalising corruption through a parallel system of illegal payments.

“Earlier, people paid GST and Sales Tax — that was normal,” Gogoi said in the video. “But since Himanta Biswa Sarma became Chief Minister, another tax has appeared — the Mami Tax. Anyone wanting to buy a tea garden, start a new industry, or engage in coal, stone, sand, or timber trade must first pay this tax. Nothing moves in Assam without it.”

Gogoi alleged that the Mami Tax has become a politically protected extortion network, discouraging investment and forcing many businesses to operate through unlawful channels.

“Because of this illegal tax, genuine trade is collapsing while corruption thrives,” he said. “Assam’s economy is suffering, investors are losing confidence, and our youth are paying the price. This is the real picture of the so-called ‘double-engine government’.”

The Congress MP also accused the BJP-led government of turning governance into a “price-tag system” where every opportunity demands a hidden payment.

“From tea estates to industries, from mining to infrastructure — every venture in Assam today must go through the backdoor to survive,” Gogoi alleged.

Promising to abolish the alleged extortion system, Gogoi assured that a future Congress government would completely dismantle the Mami Tax network.

“We promise the people of Assam — when Congress forms the government, we will abolish this Mami Tax once and for all. We will stand with honest traders and entrepreneurs,” he asserted to loud applause.

The term “Mami Tax” has recently entered Assam’s political vocabulary as shorthand for alleged unofficial levies collected from traders and industrialists. The state government has not yet issued any response to Gogoi’s latest comments.

Also Read: BJP Accuses Congress of Reviving ‘Anti-Assam Forces’; CM Sarma Predicts 'Miya' Takeover if BJP Loses