1.66 Quintal Silver Haul In Odisha: CT-GST Dept To Impose Penalty After 7-Day Notice

Bhubaneswar: A day after the seizure of 1.66 quintal of silver ornaments in Odisha’s Sambalpur, the CT-GST department on Wednesday said notice would be issued to persons involved in the possession and transportation of the previous metal.

A senior CT-GST official said that the persons involved would be asked to reply to the notice within seven days. If they fail to give satisfactory reply within the stipulated time, penalty would be imposed on them, said CT-GST Deputy Commissioner Tekchand Meher.

Penalty will be imposed on them for unauthorised possession of such a huge quantity of silver, he said.

Stating that the market value of the seized silver is yet to be ascertained, he said the quality of the silver is being examined properly before determining its value.

The three detainees were interrogated but they failed to provide any satisfactory answer regarding their possession of the silver. They also did not have any supporting document.

Following information about ganja smuggling, excise officials had launched a drive to inspect vehicles on Sambalpur-Jharsuguda Biju Expressway on Tuesday. While vehicles from outside states were being checked, the officials stopped a car bearing Maharashtra registration number which was proceeding to Ranchi.

During search, they found huge quantity of silver hidden inside a secret compartment behind the rear seat of the car. Subsequently, CT-GST officials were informed about the seizure.

An enforcement team of CT-GST reached the spot and recovered the huge quantity of silver weighing around 1.66 quintal. The seized items included silver anklets, glasses, other ornaments and a bag of pearls. Three persons travelling in the vehicle were also detained.

It is being suspected to be an attempt to evade GST.