Excise Department cracks whip on iron goods ‘mafia’

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 12

The Excise and Taxation Department has cracked the whip on iron goods ‘mafia’ who had been supplying stocks without proper documentation in the region. Highly placed sources in the department said stocks worth about Rs 70-80 lakh were confiscated by various teams of the department from different locations.

One of the officials wishing not to be quoted said the entire operation was initiated on the directions of Additional Excise and Taxation Commissioner-1 Showkat Ahmad Parray and under the leadership of Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Ferozepur division, HPS Ghotra against dealers who were supplying goods in the region without any e-way bills.

“There were a total of 16 trucks which were moving on roads without the necessary documents to evade taxes. The teams of the department confiscated trucks on Ludhiana-Samrala road, Ludhiana-Moga Road, Malerkotla Road, Jalandhar Road etc. Just to evade taxes, these 10 trucks were carrying finished goods (steel iron) while six were carrying scrap,” said the official.

On being asked about the price, the official said finished steel iron worth around Rs 7-8 lakh was loaded in each truck, while trucks loaded with scrap carried material worth around Rs 3 lakh (each).

“This mafia is operating in Mandi Gobindgarh. To evade taxes, they indulge in unethical practices. The department will impose a penalty as per law. The culprits will have to pay a hefty amount to the department. Those in trade should pay taxes to the department sincerely. Now not only they will be penalised, but also have to face harassment too,” said the department official.

The operation, which was carried out by 30 policemen, started at 9:00 pm and continued till 5:00 am at various locations. No genuine bills were there for the goods loaded in the vehicles. All vehicles were confiscated under the relevant provisions of the Punjab GST Act for further investigation. Probably, more than 150 vehicles were checked on the e-way bill App to catch the 16 tax evaders.

Senior officials said no culprits would be spared who were running into felonious activities by depriving the state of its legitimate revenue.

Stocks worth about Rs70-80 lakh confiscated

Stocks worth about Rs 70-80 lakh were confiscated by various teams of the department from different locations. There were a total of 16 trucks which were moving on roads without the necessary documents to evade taxes.