J A L A N D H A R    E D I T I O N

Industrialists rue delay in VAT refund
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 8
Business community across the state has been suffering because of inordinate delay in VAT refunds amounting to several crores of rupees from the Excise and Taxation Department for last several months. The traders have alleged that they have been repeatedly making rounds to the respective Excise and Taxation Officers or Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioners with their claims but to no avail.

While those who have filed quarterly or annual claims of less than Rs 1 lakh have to run around ETOs, those with bigger amounts have to get their claims verified from the concerned AETCs.

Balwinder Singh, a computer hardware dealer, said he had dues to the tune of Rs 80,000 which he was expecting around March. “I have been consistently following up with the department but there has been no response, he lamented.

Ravinder Dhir, a sports good manufacturer, said the businessmen across entire state were a worried lot. The state government has done no good to the business community. The process of getting VAT refunds or C-forms is too long and cumbersome making it extremely difficult for small dealers to file claims and then keep on waiting for a year or more to get the amount. This is the reason why the businessmen of Punjab have been gradually shifting their base out to neighbouring states which have very relaxed norms, he said.

AETC-II Rajpal Singh said the problem arose as his system loaded with softwares meant for verification of claims went out of order after a short circuit. The process of getting a new system, loading of software and data into it took a lot of time. As the system is now in place, I plan to dole out refunds to 68 dealers tomorrow. The remaining dealers will also get their dues within a month, he said.