Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seizes Rs 70-crore aircraft of pharma, plastic major

AHMEDABAD/NEW DELHI: An allied firm of Gujarat-based leading pharma and plastics manufacturers has come under the scanner of revenue intelligence agency for alleged irregularities in import of a Rs 70-crore aircraft.

Seizing the plane, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has raised a demand of about Rs 12 crore for alleged duty evasion in import of the aircraft by Zest Aviation Pvt Ltd ( ZAPL), a firm supported by pharma major Zydus Group and plastic manufacturer Sintex Industries, official sources said.

Calls made to Zydus public relation officer did not yield any response, whereas Sintex did not reply to email sent by PTI. ZAPL officials in Ahmedabad refused to comment.

The ZAPL had imported a business jet in May last year for providing non-scheduled passenger services thus claiming exemptions and paid 2.5 per cent duty. However, the aircraft of Bombardier Challenger 600 series was being used for personal use for carrying companies owners and senior executives, the sources said.

An importer has to pay about 17 per cent duty fee for importing aircraft if it has to be used for private purpose.

The DRI officials seized the aircraft in Ahmedabad and slapped a notice raising demand of about Rs 12 crore on ZAPL.

During investigations, it was noticed that the aircraft was being used for private purpose and companies officials were visiting their respective facilities in different parts of the country using the airplane, the sources claimed.

As per the norms, an operator has to get approval from Ministry of Civil Aviation for import of an aircraft for providing non-scheduled passenger services or non-scheduled charter services.

Officials are taking up the matter with the Aviation Ministry to find out whether the necessary permission was taken by the ZAPL for the import of the aircraft.

The DRI had in 2010 detected a case of alleged duty evasion to the tune of Rs 8.85 crore by a corporate house in importing the aircraft.

Whereas, in 2011, seven cases of alleged duty evasion worth several crores of rupees were detected, the officials said.