Finally, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) authorities have decided to blacklist Jogeshwari-based Patel Engineering and its representative.
Finally, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) authorities have decided to blacklist Jogeshwari-based Patel Engineering and its representative, Shiv Shakti Octroi Agent which together duped the corporation to the tune of lakhs by way of octroi evasion.
In fact, the civic authorities have also decided to take stern action against the octroi department officials who were found to be hand-in-hand with the evaders. The Joint Municipal Commissioner V Radha has submitted the investigation report to the Additional Municipal Commissioner Manu Kumar Shrivastav for further action.
DNA had exposed how Patel Engineering in connivance with a few corrupt octroi department officials had manipulated documents pertaining to goods imported with intentions to evade octroi. The total octroi payable on the goods imported by the company was to the tune of Rs 49.10 lakh.
However the octroi agent got away after paying only Rs16.46 lakh as duty, thereby evading octroi to the tune of Rs32.64 lakh. Patel Engineering had imported micro-tunnel equipment collectively worth Rs8. 92 crore on September 13, 2005 and the octroi was paid through Shiv Shakti Octroi Agents.
Sources in BMC revealed that huge money had changed hands in the entire case. Sources added that the octroi agent had manipulated the documents in connivance with octroi department officials. Following the report published by DNA, investigations into the matter were ordered.
In his letter to Patel Engineering on June 21, 2006, the then assistant assessor and controller (octroi), Central Vigilance Squad of BMC, GT Mandve, had categorically mentioned that it was proved beyond shadow of doubt that the company had evaded octroi by making false declaration.
Mandve had also instructed the company to pay the evaded amount with ten times penalty to avoid further legal complications.
Failing which, Mandve had warned, stern action as per legal provisions would be initiated against the company. Surprisingly, GT Mandve, who has now been promoted as deputy assessor and controller of octroi, settled the matter by collecting only Rs 31.30 lakh from the company.
Admitting that even senior BMC officials too are hand in glove with corrupt octroi officials and shielded them for personal interests, former Vigilance Officer (Special Duty), BMC IC Sisodia told DNA, “This is just the tip of iceberg. If octroi department officials work honestly, the collection can be doubled.”
Stating that a police complaint would be We lodged against Patel Engineering and octroi agent Shiv Shakti, Joint Municipal Commissioner V Radha said, “Both firms will be blacklisted after completion of necessary formalities.” Radha said cheating the corporation was a serious offence and the company could not be spared simply by recovering the evaded octroi and penalty.
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