In reply to a written question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Santosh Kumar Gangwar said in recent times the government has taken several measures to identify shell companies, investigate their operations and take further actions.
"Under Companies Act 2013, notices have been issued to all those companies which were prima facie not carrying on any business or operation for a period of two immediately preceding financial years and had failed to file their financial statements for the said period.
Besides, the income tax department has also taken effective action against shell companies.
During 2013-14 to 2015-16, investigations conducted by the I-T department led to detection of more than 1,155 shell companies which were used as conduits by over 22,000 beneficiaries.
"The amount involved in non-genuine transactions of such beneficiaries was more than Rs 13,300 crore. Further, prosecution complaints have been filed against 47 persons found involved in wrongdoings through shell companies," Gangwar said.
Addressing the chartered accountants at an event on July 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that the government had cancelled registration of over 1 lakh companies in a single stroke and more than 37,000 shell firms have been identified for strong action.