KARACHI: The Collectorate of Customs Adjudication-I has issued a show cause notice to M/s Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited for evasion of taxes/duties to the tune of Rs 388.786 million on import of domestic gas meters by availing inadmissible exemption/concession under Clause (2) and Clause (3) of SRO 678(I)/2004 dated 7.08.2004.
According to details, the PCA-Karachi Directorate, during scrutiny of import data of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, Gas House 21-Kashmir Road, Lahore, observed that they imported various consignments for domestic gas meters and got them cleared from MCC Appraisement (West), MCC Appraisement (East) and MCC (PMBQ) Karachi, through their clearing agents namely M/s. Muhammad Amin Muhammad Moqeem, Clearing and Forwarding Agents, and M/S Urooj.
The importer availed inadmissible exemption/concession under Clause (2) and Clause (3) of S.R.O. 678(I)/2004 dated 07.08.2004. Whereas conditions with reference to aforesaid clauses of the S.R.O clearly stipulate that only such goods shall be entitled to the exemption by a company other than an E&P company, for its own use or its contractors, sub-contractors and service companies for its projects of oil and gas exploration and production, refinery, oil and gas pipeline, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) petroleum terminals, energy conservation, environment and safety controls.
Further, without prejudice to above, the imported goods also fall within the ambit of C.G.O No. 11/2007 dated 28.08.2007, being locally manufactured.
In view of above, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited by availing inadmissible exemption/concession under S.R.O. 678(I)/2004 dated 07.08.2004, have evaded/short paid custom duty Rs 306,505,803/-, sales tax Rs 52,163,342/-, additional sales tax Rs 9,195,174/- and income tax Rs 20,922,277/- totaling Rs 388,786,596/-.
According to sources, the customs adjudication has issued a show cause notice to the importer and summoned the company’s representatives for contesting the arguments to decide the issue.
