Pune lounge bars serve GST to customers, skip to pay government’s share

Raids were also conducted at CA firms engaged in consulting wherein it was found that the firms collected GST from their customers of around ₹13.5 crore and had not paid it to the government.

The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), Pune zonal unit, raided pubs and lounges across the city over alleged evasion of the goods and services tax (GST). The intelligence unit stated that one such lounge was found charging GST on alcoholic drinks even though currently they are outside the purview of GST.

The raids at pubs, lounges and CA firms in Mumbai and Pune were conducted by Vikram Wani, additional director, DGGI and Vaishali Patange, deputy director. (HT REPRESENTATIONAL PHOTO)

" An amount of ₹20 lakh was collected by the restaurant on alcoholic drinks and the same was not deposited to the government exchequer. It was also found that a restaurant having turnover of more than ₹6.5 crore, had not taken GST registration. As per the law, GST registration must be taken when turnover crosses ₹20 lakh. Officers directed the owners of that restaurant to obtain GST registration immediately and pay the GST amount,” a release issued by the unit stated.

The raids were conducted in Mumbai and Pune by Vikram Wani, additional director, DGGI and Vaishali Patange, deputy director. Raids were also conducted at chartered accountancy firms engaged in consulting wherein it was found that the firms collected GST from their customers of around ₹13.5 crore and had not paid it to the government.

"People may come forward and contribute to the effective implementation of GST by sharing information about GST evasion instances. Anonymity of such persons will be maintained," the unit has said.