MP: Poppy trading firm allegedly evaded sales duty above Rs 1 crore

An anti-evasion team investigating two firms associated with Surajmal Chandmal group for possible tax evasion in poppy seed and soybean trading has seized documents pertaining to suspect transactions and bank details during its three-day search operation.

An anti-evasion team investigating two firms associated with Surajmal Chandmal group for possible tax evasion in poppy seed and soybean trading has seized documents pertaining to suspect transactions and bank details during its three-day search operation.

The team detected duty evasion in poppy seed trading worth around Rs 1.5 crore, an official carrying out the search said.

“We found there was around 400 quintal of poppy seeds that was unaccounted for lying in godowns,” the official said, adding that details of soya trade are yet to be checked.

The poppy seeds were imported from Turkey, costing around Rs 300 to Rs 350 per kilogram, without any legal paper, sources in the anti-evasion team said. The consignments were being sold at around Rs 550 to Rs 600 per kg.

Team in-charge and deputy commissioner RK Sharma said the team conducted raids on Agrawal Soya and firms belongs to Surajmal Chandmal and found several anomalies, especially in stock report.

“We are also investigating different people involved in a business as well as their bank accounts details,” Sharma said.

Neemuch district is the biggest market of poppy seeds and it supplies poppy seeds across the country as well abroad. To export poppy seeds, traders need to pay 12% tax on sales to the sale tax department.

RTI activist and advocate Amit Sharma said an organised racket is involved in tax evasion.

To save tax, the gang members put ‘herbal’ tag on poppy seed consignment and prepare fake bills to mislead teams posted at toll booths on border areas.