I-T raids popular food chains in Tamil Nadu
Chennai, Jan 3 : The Income Tax Department Thursday conducted searches at over two dozen premises of popular hotel and restaurant chains in Tamil Nadu on charges of alleged tax evasion, officials said.
They said the raids are being carried out at 32 locations of companies like Saravana Bhavan, Hot Bread, Anjappal and Grand Sweets.
The residences and offices of the directors of these food-joint chains are being raided by a team of over 100 I-T sleuths, the officials said.
These hotels serve some of the best south Indian delicacies, including cakes, pastries and sweets that are even shipped abroad, a senior official said.
The officials added that the department is looking into allegations of suppression of income by these groups by various means and hence decided to conduct searches and obtain further evidences.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bulk diesel price hike rolled back for Gujarat fishermen: Minister
Gandhinagar (PTI): The latest hike in bulk diesel prices has been withdrawn for Gujarat’s fishermen after the state took up the matter with the Centre, Fisheries Minister Jitu Vaghani said.
The price of premium or higher-grade petrol was increased on Friday by Rs 2 per litre, while the rate of bulk diesel sold to industrial users was hiked by Rs 22.43 a litre, reflecting the spike in global oil prices amid the West Asia conflict.
Vaghani on Saturday said the Gujarat government had urged the Centre to offer relief to the fisheries sector by considering a “special exception” and withdrawing the increase of Rs 22.43 per litre in the price of bulk diesel used in fishermen’s boats.
ALSO READ: Official's suicide: Former Punjab minister Bhullar, his father, among 3 booked
The state urged that fishermen be considered on par with retail customers, he said.
“Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Centre has accepted this reasonable representation of the fishermen of Gujarat. The Centre has instructed Bharat Petroleum to withdraw the increase of Rs 22.43 in the price of diesel used in fishermen’s boats, an official release said.
“So, the fishermen of the state will now receive diesel at the previously decided concessional rate,” it added.
The Gujarat government had signed a pact with the public sector undertaking Bharat Petroleum to ensure diesel for fishermen at a discounted price. However, the PSU recently increased the diesel price for fishermen by Rs 22.43 per litre.
“A representation was made to Vaghani, MLAs, local leaders and various fisheries organisations. Considering the seriousness of the matter, Vaghani, under the guidance of the chief minister, made a representation to the Centre to intervene in the matter,” the release said.
