In a major catch, sleuths of the Anti Evasion Cell of the Central Excise Commissionerate, Chandigarh-I, detected a major service tax evasion of over Rs 1.5 crore by a city-based contractor.

In an operation carried out on November 2 and 3, the sleuths detected the tax evasion by the contractor, Gahlot & Sons, who is involved in construction of commercial, industrial and residential complexes in and around Chandigarh.

The sleuths of Anti Evasion Cell acted on secret information that Gahlot & Sons was evading service tax due on account of construction activities.

A team of anti-evasion officers of the Commissionerate conducted searches at the firms office and residential premises contractor.

During the search, several incriminating records and documents regarding their involvement in the service tax evasion were recovered by the team. The contractor admitted tax evasion of more than Rs 1.5 crore and deposited Rs 83 lakh on the spot. He gave an undertaking stating that he will deposit the remaining amount shortly.

The sleuths are further investigating the exact extent of evasion in the case.

The Central Excise Commissionerate Chandigarh-I has prepared a plan to nab such service tax evaders. The Department is collecting data from other agencies and government departments in order to compile information on the potential service tax evaders.

The Cell has made it clear that in case assessees dont comply voluntarily, strict action as per the law is being contemplated in the coming months, including prosecution.

Chandigarh and its nearby areas, with their high levels of urbanisation and education have a vast array of services being provided to the public. For the first six months of the current financial year, the Commissionerate has collected nearly Rs 250 crore as compared to nearly Rs 175 crore for the corresponding period in the last financial year.