The Times of India  18.08.2010

NAGPUR: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation's octroi department conducted a surprise raid and seized over 24 cartons containing general items and Manihari jewellery collectively worth 2 lakh. The goods were being brought into the city after evading octroi worth approximately Rs 10,000.

The truck (MH-31, 6019) laden with general goods like electrical equipment, toys and manihari jewellery was seized by octroi department officials near Chota Tajbagh, Tukdoji putla, on Monday night at 11 pm. The truck driver and cleaner managed to escape.

"A notice will be served to the truck owner, demanding immediate payment of octroi at 0.5 per cent (Rs 10,000) and ten times the penalty (Rs 1 lakh) under relevant sections of the NMC Act," assistant commissioner (octroi) Milind Meshram told TOI.

Octroi inspectors Duttatray Wankhede, Pradip Dakhole and Kishor Wadnerkar acted on a tip-off that general goods packed in 24 cartons are being sent in a truck. The flying squad laid a trap at the Wadi octroi post on Amravati Road, but the truck entered the city through some other route.

During a routine round to the city, the squad noticed a truck going towards Tukdoji putla at 11 pm. After checking the vehicle, the officials found cartons containing jewellery and other goods which were being brought to the city without paying octroi duty.

Meshram said that NMC has also realised that a gang of octroi duty evaders has been engaging in such practices. Last year too officials seized a truck laden with general goods, but nobody came forward to claim them. Later, the department auctioned the goods.

"The NMC's octroi department has devised a strategy through which we can keep a track of illegal activities. The move will also help in generating additional revenue for the octroi department," Meshram said.