National broadcaster All India Radio has been slapped with a demand show cause notice by the Commissioner of Sales Tax and has been asked to pay up outstanding service taxes to the tune of Rs 18.94 crore for financial year 2008-09.

In turn, the national broadcaster, making a commitment to file the reply within a month, in a circular dated May 13 (a copy of which is with HT), has directed all the heads of offices and station heads to submit copies of vouchers and details of figures for 2008-09 to Prasar Bharati with in a week's time so that final reply can be sent to the sales tax commiserate.

Prasar Bharati is a statutory autonomous body that is mandated to meet objectives of public service broadcasting through All India Radio and Doordarshan.

Additionally, Prasar Bharati has also asked for details of payment made under software programme and procurement of equipment where bulk payment is involved for year 2008-2009 for claiming cenvat.

At present, there are 231 AIR station in the country.