Puri Math under I-T scanner

BHUBANESWAR: Puri's Emar Math, which recently turned out to be a Rs 80-crore treasure trove following discovery of 522 pieces of British era silver bricks, has come under the income tax scanner. I-T officials said they would examine the Math's property details to verify whether it was paying wealth tax regularly.

An I-T officer said religious and charitable trusts that promote religious interests are generally exempted from income tax or wealth tax. Puri DSP (city) Rajkishore Paikray said the cost of Math's existing movable and immovable property could be estimated between Rs 10-15 crore. He said the ownership status of the 18 tonnes of silver bricks is yet to be established.