GST inspection drive continues, Rs 2.45 cr unaccounted money found from 4 districts

PRAYAGRAJ Despite some resistance from traders, the state department of commercial taxes conducted surprise inspections at 74 locations in the Prayagraj division — which includes districts of Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Pratapgarh, and Fatehpur — on Sunday to check for shop owners evading the payment of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Additional commissioner Pradeep Yadav said that 23 business establishments were inspected in Prayagraj, 10 in Kaushambi, 12 in Pratapgarh, and 29 in Fatehpur on Sunday. He added that action is being taken against shopkeepers running their business without proper registrations.

On the day, authorities seized ₹2.45 crore unaccounted money from the region. GST was not paid on this amount, said additional commissioner Hareram Chaurasia. Earlier, on Saturday too, officials conducted a drive to find GST evaders. Raiding and surveying teams targeted 48 places in Prayagraj division. The teams detected tax evasion of around ₹1.76 crore on Saturday.

During raids in several marketplaces, traders gathered to protest the drive. However, officials assured them that action will only be taken against those who are found evading taxes. Nevertheless, several traders kept their shops shut, said additional commissioner Monu Tripathi.