Procure bills and win upto Rs 50 lakh rewards

RAIPUR: In a bid to encourage consumers to demand bills after purchase of goods, the Chhattisgarh government has instituted a Consumer Awareness Award with rewards upto Rs 50 lakhs, official sources said today.

Commercial Tax Minister Amar Agarwal said that this initiative will reduce tax theft and increase the state revenue.

The first award will of Rs five lakh which can be availed by the consumer in cash or kind. Three second prizes will be of Rs two-and-a half lakh each and five third prizes will be awarded with a sum of one lakh each, Agarwal said.

A sum of Rs 50 lakhs will be given away in a total of 201 prizes, he said.

Commercial Tax Department Secretary Ajay Singh said only registered traders would come under the purview of this scheme and those employed with tax, revenue and registration departments are not eligible to take part in this scheme.

Bills of goods worth over Rs 500 will be included in the scheme, he said.

Singh said consumers can drop original and photocopied bills with their name, address and phone numbers in the boxes kept at the Commercial Tax office.

In all, 24 goods have been included in this scheme, he added.