Staff Reporter
Guwahati: A major GST enforcement operation is presently underway in Sribhumi district, Assam, covering five business premises engaged in the rubber trade. The operation is being conducted by the GST Intelligence and Enforcement Unit, Assam, under the leadership of Manuj Kr Dowari, Superintendent of State Tax, with assistance from the Assam Police.
The enforcement action is being carried out at the following business premises: M/s Kazirbazar Rubber Enterprise – Proprietor: Sabbir Ahmed; M/s Safeway Solutions – Proprietor: Shamim Ahmed; M/s Ujala Traders – Proprietor: Dilruba Begum; M/s United Commercial – Proprietor: Foyez Ahmed; and M/s T & T Trading & Company – Proprietor: Abu Tahir.
The operation is presently underway in the Ratabari and Patharkandi areas of Sribhumi district, GST sources said.
During preliminary intelligence-based analysis, it has reportedly come to light that the taxpayers under investigation were allegedly utilising ineligible or fake Input Tax Credits (ITC) to discharge their GST liabilities. The suspected practice may have resulted in substantial loss of revenue to the government exchequer.
Sribhumi district is a significant rubber-producing region, with substantial quantities of raw rubber being produced and traded in the district. A considerable quantity of rubber is also reportedly supplied to other states. In view of the volume of business involved, the rubber trade constitutes an important revenue-generating sector, and any large-scale tax evasion or misuse of ITC in the sector may have significant revenue implications.
The present enforcement operation is aimed at examining the books of accounts, purchase and sales records, GST returns, e-way bills, invoices, ITC availment and utilisation, movement of goods and other relevant records and documents to ascertain the actual nature and extent of the alleged tax irregularities.
The operation is still in progress, and the exact quantum of tax evasion, if any, will be ascertained only after completion of verification and examination of the relevant records and evidence.
The enforcement action demonstrates the continued efforts of the GST Intelligence and Enforcement Unit, Assam, to identify and curb tax evasion, fraudulent availment of ITC and other irregularities in sectors involving substantial interstate movement of goods, Superintendent of State Tax, Dowari, said.
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