KOCHI: The traders at Broadway downed shutters on Saturday in protest against the raids conducted by the Commercial Taxes (Intelligence) sleuths in nine shops in the city.
The Commercial Taxes officers said the raids were conducted following reports of tax evasion by many shops. The verification of documents and records, which began at 10 am, lasted till late in the evening.
According to Deputy Commissioner (Intelligence) S Sivankutty, the shops were being monitored for more than a month. “The actual amount of tax evasion cannot be disclosed now,” he said. However, merchants’ association leaders said the shopkeepers lost a day’s business owing to the raids.
“One of the officers refused to show his identity card. Another officer tried to sneak out with documents from the shop. Besides, no prior notice was issued,” said Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Samithi district secretary C K Jaleel. The Deputy Commissioner said notices were issued only for accounts auditing. “This was a surprise check and issuing a notice will not serve its purpose,” he said.
The officers checked documents of the shops, including MN Fabrics, MN Fashions, KB Fashions, National Garments and four other textile units in Kaloor.