Mukesh Ambani's aircraft issue: When politics mixes with business
Mukesh Ambani's Rs 240-cr gift to his wife may be a case of violation of import rules, but one can't miss the evolving political equations at Centre. Successful biz formula
By TNN |
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Mukesh Ambani���s Rs 240-crore birthday gift to wife Nita Ambani might be a case of violation of import rules to evade duty, but one cannot miss the evolving political equations at the Centre with Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh and Amar Singh playing the key cards.
The customs action comes just as Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh and Amar Singh (a close friend of Anil Ambani) cosy up to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to shore up the government after the Left withdraws support.
Even though the aircraft were imported several months ago, it is only now that customs have alleged duty evasion.
Asked if the action had anything to do with political realignments in New Delhi, a customs official in Mumbai replied: ���All we can say is that we are acting on instructions from Delhi where the planes were imported.��� ���It is like registering a car as a taxi, getting duty concessions, and then using it for personal purposes. Then it should attract higher duty��� said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Air intelligence sources said the planes were seized because they were allegedly being used exclusively by the Ambani family . Mumbai customs commissioner (airport) Tarun Kumar Govil and G Ravindranath, the additional commissioner of customs who seized the planes parked near Gate No. 8 at Santa Cruz old airport, refused to comment.
The customs action comes just as Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh and Amar Singh (a close friend of Anil Ambani) cosy up to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to shore up the government after the Left withdraws support.
Even though the aircraft were imported several months ago, it is only now that customs have alleged duty evasion.
Asked if the action had anything to do with political realignments in New Delhi, a customs official in Mumbai replied: ���All we can say is that we are acting on instructions from Delhi where the planes were imported.��� ���It is like registering a car as a taxi, getting duty concessions, and then using it for personal purposes. Then it should attract higher duty��� said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Air intelligence sources said the planes were seized because they were allegedly being used exclusively by the Ambani family . Mumbai customs commissioner (airport) Tarun Kumar Govil and G Ravindranath, the additional commissioner of customs who seized the planes parked near Gate No. 8 at Santa Cruz old airport, refused to comment.
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But sources said at least 70 such importers of aircraft , many of them businessmen , are under the customs scanner. Sources also revealed that customs had checked the pilot���s logbook of the aircraft to confirm names of passengers and destinations the aircraft had flown.
An RIL spokesman said in New Delhi, ���The authorities concerned as a matter of routine procedure have sent out notices to several non-scheduled operators. As a part of this routine procedure, two of Reliance Commercial Developers Pvt Ltd���s aircraft were detained and handed back to the company thereafter.���
The action was taken under Section 111 (d) (o) of the Customs Act, 1962, which deals with confiscation of goods. If found guilty, the importer could pay a fine up to five times of the dut.
Courtesy: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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