KARACHI: The lethargic approach of officials concerned of the Model Customs Collectorate-MCC Export have given the opportunity to M/s Tata Textile to get “time-bar” facility in tax evasion case amounting to Rs 489 million.
According to details, the authorities concerned of MCC-Export have decided to submit a case in Sindh High Court against the importer-cum-exporter M/s Tata Textile after getting verdict in importer’s favour from Customs Appellate Tribunal in which it (Tribunal) stated that the importer-cum-exporter M/s Tata Textile has enjoyed the liberty to import machinery for export oriented unit (EOU) above its face value of license i.e. Rs 50 million.
After the verdict of Customs Appellate Tribunal into the case, the MCC-Export’s officials have decided to file case in Sindh High Court within the constitutional period of 90 days. However; after the passage of 85 days, the final draft in this regard has not yet been finalized which would giv an opportunity to M/s Tata Textile to get acquitted from further legal proceedings.
It is pertinent to mention here that the time limit of filing the case in Sindh High Court would be expired on June 2,2015 and the authorities concerned of MCC-Export have only three days except Sunday to file case against M/s Tata Textile in SHC.
It is pertinent to mention here that the then Collector of Customs Adjudication-II, Ahmed Mujtaba Memon during the month of January, 2015 issued Order-in-Original against M/s Tata Textile Mills Limited in its alleged involvement in importing machinery, spare parts and raw-material for export oriented unit above its face value of license i.e. Rs 50 million.
According to details, the MCC-Exports has reported vide its contravention report No PWL-15/2010-MFG-Bond/Exp that the M/s Tata Textile Mills Limited under SRO 327(I)/2008 imported description of goods i.e. plant, machinery, equipments, apparatus, raw cotton, polyester fiber and viscose fiber for the Export Oriented Unit without payment of duty/taxes payable amounting to Rs489 million.
In the contravention report, the MCC-Export further stated that the importer M/s Tata Textile Mills has failed in achievement of export target prescribed under sub-clause (i) of the clause (d) in Sub-rule (I) of rule 2 of SRO 327(I)/2008 and import of goods in excess of approved face value of license of Rs 50 million.