Ahmedabad: In a major operation by the state GST department, tax evasion amounting to Rs 7.49 crore was unearthed following an extensive investigation targeting coaching institutes across Gujarat. The operation, conducted on Jan 2, spanned 36 locations in cities such as Ahmedabad, Bharuch, Gandhinagar, Godhra, Junagadh, Rajkot, Mehsana, Palanpur, Surendranagar, Surat, Vadodara and Valsad.
Acting on intelligence gathered by the Enforcement Branch, the department launched search and seizure operations against 11 coaching institutes. These investigations revealed significant irregularities, including misclassification of tax rates, wrongful availing of input tax credit and unaccounted sales.
Preliminary findings indicate that the evaded tax of Rs 7.49 crore, combined with penalties and interest, could result in a total liability of Rs 11.33 crore. Further investigations are underway.