Latest news with #ShubhaB
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Laptop Scam: BCC appoints special investigation officer;
Belagavi: Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) commissioner Shubha B on Tuesday clarified that she has ordered a detailed investigation into the alleged irregularities in the purchase and distribution of laptops to SC/ST students. The inquiry follows allegations of inflated pricing and the installation of pirated software on the distributed devices. A month ago, BCC distributed 203 laptops to meritorious SC/ST students using unutilised funds earmarked for the purpose from the past three years, supplemented by grants from the State Finance Commission (SFC). However, Dalit organisations recently staged protests in the city, accusing the corporation of supplying substandard laptops at inflated prices. During the council meeting held on Tuesday, several corporators, including Advocate Hanumant Kongali, Ravi Dhotre, Ramesh Sontakki, and Dinesh Nashipudi, raised concerns about the procurement process. Responding to the allegations, commissioner Shubha B informed the council that a special officer has been appointed to conduct a comprehensive investigation. She added that the laptops distributed to the 10 students were taken back for examination following reports of pirated software being installed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Melhor e mais barato marketing que existe Balinhas Personalizadas Undo Corporators questioned the corporation's payment of Rs 49,000 per laptop, despite the maximum retail price (MRP) on the boxes being Rs 35,000. The investigating officer stated that the local HP distributor was asked to furnish a detailed cost breakdown based on the required specifications. The contractor, according to initial findings, installed Windows and other software for an additional Rs 10,000 — a matter also under scrutiny. Corporators allege misguidance by officials Corporator Hanumant Kongali strongly criticised BCC officials, accusing them of misleading elected representatives and misusing the intended fund. "The amount was meant to offer direct financial assistance to students, not for procuring laptops. Yet, the officials convinced corporators to approve the purchase. This is a serious violation and must be thoroughly investigated," he said. Kongali further highlighted procedural lapses, noting that tenders were floated in Jan, while approval from the Standing Committee on Finance was granted only in March. He called this sequence a 'major blunder' that demands accountability. MLA Abhay Patil also held the officials responsible for misleading the corporators in the case and demanded an inquiry. Mayor Mangesh Pawar directed commissioner Shubha B to table the investigation report before the council upon completion of the probe.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BCC Issues final notice to Vega Funmobile over Rs 7.3 crore property tax dues
Belagavi: The Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) issued a final notice to Vega Funmobile Private Limited, demanding the payment of Rs 7,33,66,476 in overdue property tax, pending from 2004–05 to 2025–26. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The notice follows allegations of tax evasion and serious violations of building construction norms by the company. According to the breakdown provided in the notice, the total due includes: Property tax Rs 1,99,49,156, cesses Rs 50,76,836, penalty Rs 4,82,33,084, and solid waste management tax of Rs 1,07,400. The notice, issued under the Karnataka Municipal Corporations (KMC) Act, 1976, mandates the company to pay the dues within seven days of receipt. Failure to do so will lead to strict recovery action, including distraint and sale of movable assets, and attachment of immovable properties. Speaking to the TOI, BCC commissioner Shubha B said: "This is the final warning issued to the company. If the dues are not cleared, legal proceedings will be initiated." She clarified that the outstanding amount was calculated after adjusting previously paid amounts. Significantly, the 24,000 sq ft commercial structure operated by Vega Funmobile is entirely unauthorised, built without a valid building permit. Despite this, the company was paying property tax under the commercial category through the Self-Assessment Scheme (SAS) since 2004, without proper verification. BCC sources revealed that a detailed inquiry led to the penalty after detecting mismatches between the declared and actual built-up area. The company is said to have admitted to the violations during the proceedings. As a result, action was taken under Section 112(C) of the KMC Act, 1976. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Commissioner Shubha conducted a comprehensive investigation, including spot inspections, review of electricity records, construction timelines, and satellite imagery analysis. Following this, she conducted three hearings on Jan 31, April 15, and April 21, 2025. The office issued a final order on April 25, and the final notice was served on Tuesday.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Belagavi City Corp (BCC) slaps Rs 7 crore penalty on firm over tax evasion
Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has imposed a hefty penalty of Rs 7,08,66,578 on Vega Funmobile Private Limited for alleged tax evasion and violations of building construction norms BELAGAVI: Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has levied a tax penalty of Rs 7,08,66,578 on Vega Funmobile Private Limited for alleged tax evasion and serious violations in building construction norms. According to BCC sources, the penalty was imposed based on discrepancies between the actual built-up area and the area declared for property tax assessment, and also in view of the fact that it continued to pay taxes under the commercial slab though its operations fell under the industrial category . The company reportedly admitted to the violations during proceedings, prompting action under Section 112(C) of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act , 1976. Shubha B, the BCC commissioner, passed the order, following three hearings on Jan 31, April 15, and April 21, 2025. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Egypt (Take A Look At The Prices) Container House Search Now Undo In keeping with the Municipal Act, the company must deposit 50% of the penalty amount before appealing to the BCC standing committee on taxation. "The tax was calculated after deducting previously paid tax amounts," Shubha told TOI. "The 24,000 sq ft structure is entirely unauthorised, constructed without a valid building permit. Despite this, the company has been paying tax since 2004, using the self-assessment scheme, which lacked verification," the officer said. Shubha added that Vega Funmobile had entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BEMCO Company for leasing the land in August 2002. Initially, in 2002-03, the company had paid taxes, declaring the land as vacant. Though building permission was granted in Dec 2003, there was no construction in 2004-05. Even then, building tax was paid under the commercial slab, even though the usage fell under the industrial category. The commissioner initiated a detailed inquiry upon detecting these discrepancies. Following the hearings, an order dated April 25 directed the company to remit the full tax and penalty amount to BCC.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BCC slaps Rs 7Cr penalty on firm over tax evasion
Belagavi: Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has levied a tax penalty of Rs 7,08,66,578 on Vega Funmobile Private Limited for alleged tax evasion and serious violations in building construction norms. According to BCC sources, the penalty was imposed based on discrepancies between the actual built-up area and the area declared for property tax assessment , and also in view of the fact that it continued to pay taxes under the commercial slab though its operations fell under the industrial category . The company reportedly admitted to the violations during proceedings, prompting action under Section 112(C) of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act , 1976. Shubha B, the BCC commissioner, passed the order, following three hearings on Jan 31, April 15, and April 21, 2025. In keeping with the Municipal Act, the company must deposit 50% of the penalty amount before appealing to the BCC standing committee on taxation. "The tax was calculated after deducting previously paid tax amounts," Shubha told TOI. "The 24,000 sq ft structure is entirely unauthorised, constructed without a valid building permit. Despite this, the company has been paying tax since 2004, using the self-assessment scheme, which lacked verification," the officer said. Shubha added that Vega Funmobile had entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BEMCO Company for leasing the land in August 2002. Initially, in 2002-03, the company had paid taxes, declaring the land as vacant. Though building permission was granted in Dec 2003, there was no construction in 2004-05. Even then, building tax was paid under the commercial slab, even though the usage fell under the industrial category. The commissioner initiated a detailed inquiry upon detecting these discrepancies. Following the hearings, an order dated April 25 directed the company to remit the full tax and penalty amount to BCC.
