Visakhapatnam Central GST Commissionerate through a press note intimated that default of Rs.41 Crores in payment of GST and other taxes have been uncovered. The press note read:
Visakhapatnam Central GST Commissionerate unearths Rs.41 Crores default in payment of GST and other taxes. Rs.18.09 Crores recovered. The Visakhapatnam Central GST Commissionerate, having jurisdiction over the Revenue districts of East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam, launched an intensive Inspection drive against Steel manufacturing, Shipping Services, Infrastructure Services, Logistics & Hotel sectors to ascertain proper payment of GST and ensure procedural compliance. During the drive, the Anti-Evasion teams involved in the Inspections have recovered tax of around Rs.18.09 Crores from 15 taxpayers. In the Inspections conducted in areas of Vizianagaram, Rajamahendravaram and Kakinada, the Anti-Evasion teams uncovered default payment of GST to the tune of Rs.33.54 Crores and further detected non-payment of erstwhile Central Excise and Service Tax of around Rs.8 Crores.
Shri. B. Hareram, Principal Commissioner of Central Tax, Visakhapatnam Central GST Commissionerate informed that so far Rs.18.09 Crores have been recovered and action is underway to recover the remaining tax dues. He urged the taxpayers to file their returns and pay taxes without delay to avoid penalties and interest. Taxpayers facing difficulty in filing Returns or payment of taxes can contact any one of the 14 GST Seva Kendras operating in the jurisdiction of the Commissionerate. The Principal Commissioner further stated that stringent action will be taken against those taxpayers who willfully evade payment of GST or indulge in collecting GST from their customers and not depositing the same with the Government. Further, the Pr. Commissioner stated that penal action will be taken against all those taxpayers who do not maintain their records/accounts at their Registered Place of Business as required by law