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Punjab petrol dealers allege major smuggling scam, to launch protest
Chandigarh, Jan 22 (IANS) Alleging that inaction of the Punjab government to levy VAT on petrol and diesel at par with neighbouring states is causing huge revenue losses of crores annually on account of diversion of business and smuggling, the Petrol Pump Dealers’ Association of Punjab (PPDAP) on Monday announced a statewide agitation starting on Tuesday.
Association President Paramjit Singh Doaba warned that if the Punjab government did not heed their demands, they would intensify their protest by shutting down petrol pumps across the state.
“We have submitted numerous representations to the government, but it has turned a deaf ear to our pleas, leaving us with no choice but to resort to an agitation,” Doaba told the media here.
The association will begin its indefinite hunger strike from Tuesday, demanding an immediate cut in VAT (Value Added Tax) rates and an inquiry to expose the nexus between smugglers and Excise and Taxation Department officials.
“The unreasonably high VAT on petrol and diesel in Punjab is a scam to the tune of Rs 40,000 crore. Rather than adding to Punjab’s revenue receipts, a higher VAT has set the state exchequer back by a whopping Rs 40,000 crore in 17 years. The disparity in VAT in comparison to neighbouring Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh is causing the Punjab government revenue losses of Rs 2,000 crore per annum. Matters have now gone from bad to worse with Punjab’s revenue from VAT on petrol and diesel declining by Rs 190 crore in the first half of 2017-18 in comparison with corresponding period last year,” PPDAP Spokesman G.S. Chawla said.
Chawla alleged that this scam in Punjab is being done at the behest of the Excise and Taxation authorities.
“The only beneficiaries of this losing proposition are excise and taxation authorities and unscrupulous elements, including dealers, who continue to work in collusion to rob Punjab of its rightful revenue through diversion of business to neighbouring states and smuggling. Not only are people of the state paying more, the government is also suffering losses as its rightful revenue is not reaching it at all,” he said.
Explaining how petrol and diesel is being smuggled into Punjab from neighbouring states with impunity right under the government’s nose, Chawla said: “Unscrupulous dealers are smuggling lower-priced petrol and diesel from neighbouring states and selling them at market price in Punjab without paying VAT to the Punjab government. Milk tankers are used for smuggling in bulk. Since these supplies have no records, the illegal business does not reflect in sales figures at all. So, a heavier VAT on petroleum products will not translate into extra revenue, as is being made out by the Excise and Taxation Department authorities in tacit understanding with unscrupulous dealers.”
He pointed out that petrol dealers in Punjab were suffering losses of hundreds of crores of rupees due to the higher price of fuel in the state.
He demanded a lower VAT to attract additional revenue of Rs 2,000 crore per year.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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