Ahmedabad: The commercial tax authorities
here on Saturday claimed to have unearthed a Rs 80-crore bogus
billing scam, allegedly involving traders from North Gujarat
region.
"Having received information regarding bogus billing
fraud in Mehsana district, the officials of commercial tax
department in 16 teams searched the locations and seized the
documents and papers," the department release said.
It said the traders resorted to bogus billing system to
avoid payment of VAT (value added tax).
"Prima facie, it appears to be the scam of around Rs 80-
crore but the documents and other material collected from the
locations are being scrutinised and it may disclose bigger
scam also," the release stated.
Meanwhile, officials have also seized bank accounts of
the traders and trading firms which were found to be indulging
in such malpractices in order to evade the tax.
Moreover, criminal cases will be registered against the
traders and those who helped in carrying out such activities,
senior officials of the state Finance Department said.
According to them, more search operations will be
conducted to check evasion of tax and malpractices in trading
activities in the state.
Bureau Report
First Published: Saturday, November 07, 2009, 23:59