Fake pharma bills worth Rs 4.5cr seized in Parwanoo

Shimla: A team of joint commissioner of state taxes and excise, south enforcement zone Parwanoo, raided a pharmaceutical unit in Barotiwala and seized fake bills of inward supplies amounting to Rs 4.5 crore.

Total fake bills worth around Rs 40 crore have been recovered during similar raids on nine other pharma units so far.

A department spokesperson said during one such raid, cash of Rs 61 lakh was found and the income tax department was informed about it. Notices to 25 other units are being issued for receiving supplies from fake companies, he added.

He said the main supplier of these bills was a trading firm which has also been tracked. It’s owner is a small-time employee living in the labour quarters and earning a salary of Rs 15,000 per month.

Total tax evasion in these cases may cross Rs 10 crore. Other such firms supplying fake bills are suspected to be running in the state and investigation in this regard is on, the spokesperson said. Action against other defaulters would be initiated soon, he added.