Latest news with #Excise
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Excise misses tax target by 52 per cent
The Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department has failed to meet its property tax and professional tax collection targets for the fiscal year 2024-25 across the Rawalpindi Region as the department has only achieved 48% of its target, falling short by a significant 52%. In contrast, the Motor Branch of the department successfully met its targets in the categories of new vehicle and motorcycle registrations, transfer fees, and token taxes, achieving a remarkable 150% of its revenue target in those areas. Total revenue collection for the Rawalpindi region stood at Rs680 million. Due to the department's complete failure in collecting domestic and commercial property taxes, professional taxes, and luxury taxes, the Director General of Excise has ordered the cancellation of weekly Sunday holidays. Starting this Sunday and continuing until the beginning of the new fiscal year, Excise offices will remain open on Sundays to boost revenue recovery. In a controversial move to increase tax collection, the department has started issuing revised property tax bills by changing the names on previously taxed residential units. One such case involves Advocate Najma Malik, who reported that despite paying Rs150,000 in property tax under her name, a new notice of Rs157,000 was issued under her husband's name, based on signage outside the house. She has challenged the new notice with the previous tax receipt. As part of its ongoing crackdown on defaulters, the department has sealed 241 property units and recovered Rs3.1m in overdue taxes. Excise Inspectors have been directed to leave their offices and collect taxes directly in the field. However, with only 12 days remaining before the end of the fiscal year, achieving the collection targets for property tax, luxury tax, and professional tax seems increasingly unlikely, leaving the department far from meeting its financial goals.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- The Hindu
Fake drug case: police to question key accused
The police will question both Livia Jose and Narayana Das, the two key accused in the fake narcotics case that led to the wrongful arrest and imprisonment of Chalakudy-based beautician Sheela Sunny in 2023. The police have begun the process of securing their custody for further interrogation, as discrepancies have emerged in their individual statements. The case, which dates back to February 27, 2023, began when Excise officials allegedly found LSD stamps in Ms. Sheela Sunny's scooter. She was arrested and spent 72 days in jail. However, a forensic lab report later revealed there were no traces of drugs on the seized stamps, and Ms. Sheela was acquitted of all charges. Subsequent investigations revealed the entire case was a deliberate attempt to frame her. The police found that the conspiracy was hatched by Narayana Das, 58, from Tripunithura and Livia Jose, a resident of Kalady, who is also the sister of Ms. Sheela's daughter-in-law. Narayana Das was arrested in April from Bengaluru, and Livia was taken into custody from Mumbai three days ago. According to the police, Livia has confessed to orchestrating the false case out of personal grudge, stemming from allegations that Ms. Sheela had maligned her reputation. According to Livia, Ms. Sheela had questioned how Livia, a student in Bengaluru, managed to accumulate expensive goods and even made derogatory remarks about her lifestyle. Livia told the police she acted alone, with help from Narayana Das, and denied any involvement of her sister. She claimed she planted the fake drug stamps in Ms. Sheela's scooter out of revenge, but admitted she was duped by an African national who supplied her with fake LSD stamps, thinking they were real. Sheela Sunny, meanwhile, has dismissed Livia's statements as false. She clarified that her only remark was a query to her daughter-in-law about Livia's source of income as a student and that this was never shared with anyone else. She stated that she had no serious conflict with Livia and denied sending any voice messages to her son blaming Livia. 'This was a planned move by Livia in collusion with my daughter-in-law to isolate me from the family,' Sheela said. She added that Livia's relatives themselves had expressed concern over her behaviour and had planned to visit Bengaluru to look into her lifestyle. Ms. Sheela also claimed she has not been in contact with her son since the case began and questioned the credibility of Livia's statements, especially the claim that she made defamatory remarks that led to the conspiracy.
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Proposed protest over 12 demands in Erode withdrawn following Minister's promise
The proposed protest by members of various social welfare organisations over 12 key demands was withdrawn after Minister for Housing, Prohibition, and Excise S. Muthusamy promised action in Perundurai on Tuesday. Led by R.S. Mugilan, coordinator of the Tamil Nadu Environment Protection Movement, the members had planned a continuous sit-in at the Perundurai Taluk Office from Tuesday, ahead of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's visit on Wednesday. They alleged that despite submitting thousands of petitions with evidence of public property misappropriation worth crores in Perundurai Taluk, no action was taken. Their demands included action against former DMK Chennimalai Union Treasurer and officials from the Revenue Department, Sub-Registrar's office, and banks for alleged land fraud in Gandhi Nagar, Chennimalai, and against those involved in forging documents related to land allotted for the resettlement of 250 Sri Lankan Tamils in Attavanai Pidariyur. They sought withdrawal of a false case against farmers and environmentalists protesting SIPCOT pollution, and disciplinary action against Geology and Mining and Revenue officials for ignoring hundreds of mining-related complaints over five years. Protesters also demanded the arrest of AIADMK Union Secretary for alleged illegal mining using explosives on government land in Ekkattampalayam and Sillankattuvalasu, and criminal proceedings against four others involved in illegal quarrying. They called for action against the BDO, Police Inspector, and RTO for allowing heavy mineral transport that damaged roads, violating a Supreme Court ruling, and cancellation of illegal mining permits issued without mandatory public hearings near residential areas. The protesters had vowed to stage a sit-in until action was taken, but withdrew after Tuesday's meeting with the Minister and his assurance of follow-up.
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- The Hindu
73 liquor bottles seized during checks in and around Hyderabad
As part of a State-wide crackdown on Non-Duty Paid Liquor (NDPL), Excise officials have seized 73 liquor bottles across multiple locations and arrested four individuals for smuggling and illegal possession of liquor and drugs. In Hyderabad, 56 bottles of liquor worth around ₹2.5 lakh were confiscated in three separate incidents. In one case, a man was caught near the Secunderabad Military Hospital in Trimulgherry with 20 bottles of whisky. Further, as officials from the State Task Force (STF) conducted checks on incoming passengers from KSR Bengaluru and Rajdhani Express trains in Secunderabad, officials arrested another individual identified as Ajay Singh, with 44 bottles of beer and four additional liquor bottles. Officials raided a location in West Marredpally where the accused Runeet and Aditya were found selling 13 grams of OG Kush. They were also in possession of 32 bottles of liquor sourced from Goa, Manipur, and Delhi. Both were taken into custody. Meanwhile, 17 liquor bottles were seized at Zaheerabad during inspections of all vehicles entering Telangana from Goa. Tourist buses, private cars, and other vehicles were thoroughly searched at the check post as part of an intensified week-long drive against NDPL.
India Gazette
09-06-2025
- India Gazette
Telangana: Excise Department seize 56 liquor bottles worth Rs 2.50 lakhs in three cases; Four arrested for illicit transportation
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 9 (ANI): The Excise Department's Special Enforcement Team (SET) seized 56 liquor bottles worth Rs 2.50 lakhs in three separate operations and arrested four individuals for illegal possession and transportation of liquor, according to the official statement. The raids were conducted in different locations, including Secunderabad, a railway station, and a private residence in West Marredpally. According to Excise official,' In the first case, the STF team, led by CI Nagaraju and SI Jyothi, seized 20 signature bottles from an individual named Sri Pana Raman near the Military Hospital in Secunderabad. In the second case, the same team caught Ajay Singh, a passenger who arrived from Bengaluru by the KSR Bengaluru Rajdhani Express. He was found carrying 44 bottles of Corona Extra Beer and four additional liquor bottles. The third raid was carried out at a house in West Marredpally based on a tip-off about ganja sales. The operation, led by CI Bhiksha Reddy, SI Balaraju, and SI Sandhya, resulted in the seizure of 13 grams of OG Kush ganja and 32 liquor bottles. The bottles were reportedly brought from Goa, Manipur, and Delhi. As per the release, two individuals, Runith and Aditya, were arrested during the raid. 'The duo was arrested for storing and selling the liquor,' said Pradeep Rao, the team leader of the operation. According to the Excise officials, the total value of liquor seized across the three cases has been estimated at Rs. 2.50 lakhs. 'These operations are part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal liquor trade in the region,' an official from the Excise Department said. (ANI)
