Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 16: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Balvinder Singh and others regarding recovery of Sales Tax and VAT from all the defaulters, Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur today directed the State to file reply regarding recovery of arrears from Government departments.
After hearing Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi with Advocate Deewakar Sharma for the PIL whereas Senior AAG Gagan Basotra for the State, the DB observed, “in pursuance of earlier order passed by this court, Chief Secretary held a meeting of Secretaries of numerous departments and impressed upon them to clear the arrears and certain directions were issued by the Chief Secretary to all the officers/field agencies”, adding “the requisite information has been furnished in the affidavit filed by the Chief Secretary”.
“In pursuance of the directions issued by the Chief Secretary, the Principal Secretary to Government, Finance Department held two meetings, which have been reflected in the status report filed by the Commissioner, Commercial Taxes. The details suggest that arrears by some of the departments have been fully paid in Jammu and Kashmir divisions. However, the arrears in respect of many other departments are still outstanding”, the DB observed, adding “the status of recovery from February, 2014 up to June 30, 2014 has been reflected in the affidavit dated 04.07.2014. In the status, it has been stated that Rs 4.63 crore has been recovered in Kashmir division and Rs.4.36 crore in Jammu division and total recovery of Rs.8.99 crore has been made”.
With regard to un-recovered amount, tabulated information has been furnished in the report and steps are required to be taken to recover the same, the DB said and granted six weeks time to file status report regarding the amount yet to be recovered.
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