The Uttar Pradesh Government issued an order regarding Special Audit of VAT Refunds issued during the financial years 2016-17 and 2017-18 till 1st July 2017 wherever the amount of a single refund was Rs. Ten lakhs or more.
An order issued by the Commissioner, Uttar Pradesh Commercial Tax has stated that it had been repeatedly instructed that before grant of the refund, its verification by the concerned official is mandatory.
The letter also states that from the preliminary investigation of files related to large amount of refunds in connection with the refund of Rs. 22.11 crores granted in Kanpur, it has come to light that few such refunds have been granted in which firms related to purchases were non-existent.
Information of verification was sent to wrong zone officer. In the documents presented by the Exporters, there is difference in the places of exports. Showing purchase at higher rate, the goods has been sold at a lesser price. Documents sent for verification did not include details of all invoices related to purchases. This situation is very serious and represents poor monitoring of the supervising officials.
The letter instructs that the said special audit must be completed by 20th September, 2017 and recommendation for action to be taken against the defaulting officials should be sent by 15/10/2017.
