Odisha: Journalist Charged With GST Evasion In Rourkela

Rourkela: A journalist living at AB Square near Koel Nagar here in the city has been charged with evading Goods and Services Tax (GST) by violating the prescribed guidelines of the government.

The GST Enforcement department in the State has put up a notice outside his residence, asking him to appear with necessary documents on Dec 7, 2020. However, the house of the journalist has been found locked from outside.

In the notice, the GST authorities have mentioned that the GST evasion was carried out in the name of M/S Nayak Enterprises.

"I am having enough evidence regarding your possible involvement in the fraud. On the basis of such evidences, I have reasons to believe that you are in possession of facts and documents and records which are material to the inquiry," the notice read.

As per sources, the journalist was summoned multiple times to appear before the GST officials with relevant documents and clarify his stand. However, he is yet to show up.

The Tax department had given him another chance to appear before the CT and GST Office in Rourkela on December 7.

Last week, a daily wager became a victim of GST fraud after an investigation by the tax enforcement authorities revealed that some miscreants allegedly cheated government exchequer of around Rs 1.5 crore in the name of the daily wager in Paradip area of Jagatsinghpur district.

The victim identified as Bigyan Swain of Pitambarpur in Jagatsinghpur feigned ignorance about the fraudulent transaction.

The fraudster has carried out the fraud using photo ID and other documents of Swain, GST official said after a preliminary investigation.

The business transaction in the name of the daily labourer had been carried out since August to till date, officials said.