Tax evasion: PMC octroi dept loses Rs 10 cr

The octroi department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC),which has already been facing loss of Rs 10 crore per month for the last several months,has also been grappling with the problem of evasion through current accounts,which has come down to half from Rs 20 crore earlier. It is also planning to seek help from the economic offences wing (EOW) of the city police.

In order to keep a check on tax defaulters,criminal action will proceeded against civic employees,who are found helping them in evading tax,PMC octroi chief Rajendra Muthe informed a press conference on Friday. “So far,we have suspended a few and stopped their salaries,” he said.

Muthe said,“Due to the economic recession,the octroi revenue has taken a hit. The problem is mainly from the 79 current account holders,who do not make tax payment regularly. Last year,they had paid Rs 20 crore through current account,which has come down to Rs 9 crore this year.

PMC Commissioner Mahesh Zagade has also given instructions to improve coordination among departments. The PMC has decided to form a special squad in this regard.