The search was carried out at 3.55 pm today at United Colours of Benetton Showroom located at Himalaya Crown, Tilak Nagar, Near Law College Square.
Nagpur News.
The entire business domain of Nagpur felt tremors when the Special Squad of NMC’s Local Body Tax (LBT) Department carried out a surprise search at H G Retail Solution Pvt Ltd, franchisee of internationally famous United Colours of Benetton readymade garments. The search was carried out at 3.55 pm today (December 5) at United Colours of Benetton Showroom located at Himalaya Crown, Tilak Nagar, Near Law College Square. And for the first time in the LBT regime, the world renowned showroom was seized by the NMC Squad.
The Special LBT Squad found that the dealer had not even made registration under LBT and hence not paid a single penny towards LBT so far. The dealer deals in readymade branded garments. The Squad searched a massive stock of branded readymade garments valued at about more than Rs. 1.25 crore. Further, huge sales of the material was uncovered by the Squad with turnover worth about Rs. 1.40 crore since April 1, 2013 the day the LBT regime came into force.
The detailed assessment of stock of inventories, purchase, sales is being done and liability of LBT will be fixed, the Squad said. Moreover, since the dealer had not registered with LBT, the shop was seized. The Municipal Commissioner Shyam Wardhane personally visited the spot.
The Special Squad found that in spite of 8 months have lapsed since April 2013, some dealers have been making business without registration of LBT. Henceforth, NMC would prosecute such dealers, who even though liable for registration, are not getting themselves registered with LBT and, subsequently making no payment of LBT.
The Special Squad was led by LBT Assistant Commissioner Mahesh Dhamecha and other members include LBT Officer Rajesh Meshram, LBT Inspector Dilip Mate, Padgham, Jeetu Tomar, Shailendra Bhardwaj , Dahikar, Wagh, and driver Naidu and Tandulkar. The search was carried out under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Shyam Wardhane and Deputy Commissioner Pramod Bhusari.
When Nagpur Today contacted Karan Tomar, Managing Director of H G Retail Solution Pvt Ltd, franchisee of United Colours of Benetton readymade garments, for his comments, he admitted the search was carried out by the LBT Squad but said the matter would be resolved by tomorrow (December 6) morning and subsequently the showroom will be opened as soon as the matter gets resolved.
The Nagpur Today also contacted Masanam Nambi, Area Sales Manager for Maharashtra and Goa of United Colours of Benetton, for his comments. He said, “I have come to know about the search through you (Nagpur Today). I have no idea about the development. I will go through the matter thoroughly first and then would be in a position to comment on the search.”
