GST SIB Raids Brick Kilns in Aligarh and Kasganj

The GST Special Investigation Branch (SIB) team has intensified its crackdown on brick kiln owners who were under-reporting their turnover. In a recent operation, the team conducted raids on nine brick kilns in Aligarh and Kasganj. Based on the investigations, bricks worth ₹3.70 crores were seized, and notices were issued, prohibiting further sales.

It is pertinent to note that a meeting between GST officials and brick kiln owners had taken place a few days ago, where the highest instances of tax evasion were reported from Sahawar.

Under the direction of Additional Commissioner SIB Grade Two Dr. Shyam Sundar Tiwari and Additional Commissioner Grade Two Gulab Chandra, Assistant Commissioner Shiv Kumar Singh, along with three teams, conducted raids on eight brick kilns in Sahawar, Kasganj, and one in Aligarh on August 7. The documents from the kilns were packed and brought to the headquarters. The returns filed by the Sahawar kilns ranged from zero to ₹20,000-₹30,000. However, on-site inspections revealed significantly higher sales. Based on these findings, bricks worth ₹3.50 crores from the eight kilns and ₹20 lakhs from the kiln in Aligarh's Ramghat Road were seized. Assistant Commissioner Shiv Kumar Singh confirmed these actions.

Key points from the raid:

• Under-reporting of turnover: Brick kiln owners were found to be significantly under-reporting their actual sales turnover.
• Large-scale seizures: Bricks worth a total of ₹3.70 crores were seized from the raided kilns.
• Prohibition on sales: Notices were issued, prohibiting further sales from the seized bricks.
• Focus on Sahawar: The highest instances of tax evasion were reported from Sahawar, Kasganj.
• Document seizure: Documents from the raided kilns were seized and brought to the headquarters for further investigation.

This raid highlights the ongoing efforts of the GST SIB to curb tax evasion in the brick kiln industry. The significant seizures and the subsequent actions taken against the defaulters serve as a strong message to those involved in tax evasion.