Navi Mumbai APMC Vigilance Squads Crack Down on Tax Evasion, Seize Rs 17.5 Crore in Produce
In a significant enforcement action, the vigilance squads of the Mumbai Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) launched a targeted special drive during the months of January and February. The operation was aimed squarely at traders and importers who were systematically evading mandatory APMC cess and market fees. This rigorous initiative resulted in the seizure of agricultural produce valued at a staggering Rs 17.5 crore and the recovery of a total penalty amounting to Rs 59.9 lakh from the identified tax evaders.
Strategic Areas Targeted in the Vigilance Operation
The special drive was meticulously executed across key logistical hubs, including the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Turbhe, Nerul, and along the critical Thane-Belapur Road corridor. In these areas, numerous vehicles transporting agricultural commodities were intercepted and thoroughly inspected. The primary objective was to verify whether the requisite APMC cess had been duly paid for trading these goods within the official APMC market framework.
Official Warnings and Evasion Tactics Uncovered
APMC Member Secretary Sharad Jare provided detailed insights into the operation. "Traders operating within the APMC markets were forewarned about stringent penal actions if found guilty of evading the 1% cess and market fees," Jare stated. "Our investigations revealed that several traders were engaged in selling spices without obtaining the necessary licences from the market committee and, crucially, without remitting the cess and maintenance costs."
Jare further elaborated on the sophisticated evasion methods employed by some offenders. "Certain miscreants deliberately bypassed the official market yard to avoid taxation. Their modus operandi involved stocking goods in clandestine cold storages and warehouses, followed by covert transportation and subsequent sales, often allegedly facilitated by complicit agents," he explained.
Additional Violations and Legal Actions Taken
The vigilance team uncovered further irregularities. "It was also found that some traders were directly trading pulses while evading the cess. Additionally, several importers of agricultural produce failed to provide prior notification before bringing imported goods for trading within APMC limits. Many of these importers also lacked the mandatory importer's licence," Jare added.
Upon establishing clear intent to evade APMC cess and maintenance cost fees, the vigilance team initiated penal proceedings against the offenders. These actions were taken under the provisions of Section 32(9) of the Maharashtra Agricultural Produce Marketing (Development-Regulation) Act, 1963.
Penalty Structure and Consequences for Non-Compliance
Jare detailed the financial repercussions for the violators. "The cess, market fees, maintenance costs, and ancillary charges, along with a three-fold penalty, were recovered from the offenders. Those who complied by paying the triple penalty had their seized vehicles returned," he said.
The APMC has set a strict deadline for compliance. "If tax-evading traders fail to produce valid documentation for the seized commodities and do not pay the imposed penalty within 10 days, their entire seized agricultural produce will be officially auctioned," Jare concluded, underscoring the committee's commitment to enforcing regulations and ensuring fair trade practices.
