Explain why Rahul Bose paid GST on tax-free bananas: JW Marriott told

Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner (AETC) Rajeev Chaudhary told Chandigarh Newsline, “We have issued the show-cause notice and sought a reply from them. Bananas which come under the category of fresh fruits are tax-free. So, in the show cause we have asked them to explain how come they charged tax on bananas.”

You have to see this to believe it. Who said fruit wasn’t harmful to your existence? Ask the wonderful folks at @JWMarriottChd #goingbananas #howtogetfitandgobroke #potassiumforkings pic.twitter.com/SNJvecHvZB

— Rahul Bose (@RahulBose1) July 22, 2019

After a tweet by the actor telling about how he was charged the whopping amount of Rs 442.50 for two fresh bananas, Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner and Excise and Taxation Commissioner Mandip Singh Brar had ordered an investigation into the matter.

A three-member team, constituted by the excise and taxation department, had on Thursday confiscated all the relevant records.

The show-cause notice has been sent after analysing the seized records.

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The hotel has been given time till Saturday to file the reply. “We have also called them for a personal hearing before giving out a decision. The hearing will take place before judicial officer,” the AETC said.

However, no official statement has been released by the hotel authorities. Despite repeated attempts, there was no reply from the hotel authorities.

The probe on whether the hotel is depositing tax with the government is also going on. Sources in the department said that if found guilty, the hotel will be penalized.

Meanwhile, member of Consumer Protection Council and GST expert Ajay Jagga wrote to Director Consumer Affairs seeking to take cognizance in the matter. The letter written by Ajay Jagga said, “The recent controversy of charging of GST @18% on fresh fruits (charged as fruit platter), which are tax-free, in a high class hotel is one of subject in which an advisory from the Consumer Protection Council, should be considered.”