A bid to smuggle 6,500 kg of banned polythene was foiled by the excise department in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir today.
We seized a truck from the Toll Post at Lahankpur in Kathua district for carrying 6,500 kg (52 bags) of polythene today, excise department officials said.
As per the documents of the vehicle, it was carrying 180 bags of potatoes consigned by Raj Kumar & Sons, Delhi to Sanjay Sharma & Co at Narwal, Jammu, they said.
However, on checking, it was found loaded with 6,500 kg (52 bags) of polythene and 128 bags of potatoes, they said.
The evaders were trying to import banned polythene by importing the same with potatoes which is a non taxable item, they said, adding that the vehicle has been handed over to the Pollution Control Board.
In another attempt of toll evasion, the department seized a vehicle loaded with 5,300 kgs of scrap, that was moving outside the state via Pattan Barrian through river Ravi today.
The evader adopted the said route in order to avoid payment of toll and VAT, the officials said.
A penalty amounting to Rs 43,010 was imposed under J&K Levy of Tolls Act besides Rs 63,000 on account of VAT was imposed by the Commercial Taxes department on the evaders, they said.
Rajesh Sharma, Deputy Excise Commissioner lauded the efforts of the staff in nabbing the evaders and warned the wrong-doers to desist from making such attempts.
