Illegal Gutkha factory busted in Durg, GST department raids

Durg. Chhattisgarh State GST’s e-way bill investigation team, during checking on March 1, chased a suspicious vehicle and took action against an undeclared gutkha factory operating in Chandrakhuri in Durg district. Earlier, the suspected driver tried his best to dodge the GST investigation team and burnt the packing material to hide his identity, however the investigation team members still reached the Gutkha factory.

A large quantity of wrappers of reputed brand gutkha companies and raw material of gutkha, betel nut tobacco etc. have been recovered from the illegal gutkha factory. A mixer machine being used to make illegal gutka has also been found in the factory. This factory was operated under the name of Komal Foods. According to the information received from the GST Department, the factory of the same businessman in Rajnandgaon has also been brought under the ambit of investigation. Evidence of manufacturing Gutkha has been found here also.

It is noteworthy that Finance and GST Minister OP Chaudhary has set a target of making Chhattisgarh developed under Modi’s guarantee and taking the state’s GDP to Rs 10 lakh crore in the next five years. The GST slab on Gutkha, Pan Masala and tobacco products is highest. Apart from tax, cess is also levied on them, hence there is a high possibility of tax evasion. The State GST team is continuously monitoring such cases. This week, the GST department investigated three more businessmen and recovered approximately Rs 8 crore. Tax has been deposited. Tax irregularities in these firms were flagged by iTools. All of them were depositing less tax while claiming more ITC for the last three years. During investigation, a large amount of difference in the stock was also found.