Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu today sought permission from Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to audit of a private cable operator which he accused of evading taxes to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore.
Accusing the previous SAD-BJP regime of "sheltering" the private multi-system operator (MSO) in the cable business, Sidhu said he would to take the fight against "cable mafia" to its logical end to eliminate monopolistic conditions.
Sidhu claimed the previous state government amended the law by imposing a "meagre" tax of Rs 15,000 per annum in order to provide financial gain to the operator.
After becoming minister, Sidhu has been vociferously speaking against cable mafia and pitching for level playing field while targeting SAD-BJP's "favorite" private multi system operator.
"I will take this fight to the logical end. I will not go for temporary solution. It is necessary to come out with permanent solution to rein in cable mafia," said Sidhu while talking to reporters here today.
Sidhu sought Amarinder's support to wipe out the cable mafia from the state which had been one of the promises of Congress during assembly polls.
"I want to request the CM that he gives me the permission to conduct audit as earlier the power to audit (of private multi system operator for past years) was under the jurisdiction of excise and taxation department (which is with CM). For conducting audit, an ordinance will have to be brought into. I will take this issue to the cabinet," said Sidhu
"The ball is now in the court of CM and cabinet colleagues," he said.
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