E Arun
Port Blair, Dec 04: People living in Andaman and Nicobar Islands are living under the double curse of inflation. While inflation has become a major issue for a common man living in Mainland India, in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, every Islander has to pay almost 20 to 30 percent more for every commodity than people living in Mainland India. Hence the curse of inflation is double in Andaman.
Those who are net savvy and know a thing or two, prefer to buy goods online and get things in Mainland India rate but to their utter dismay often theese goods are withheld at Airport by PBMC staffs, who demands octroi for such house hold items and harass public.
There are also cases when people have allegedly demanded bribe from general public to release the materials.
When Andaman Sheekha Contacted the Secretary of PBMC, Mr. Rakesh Bali preferred to play safe by saying “You should ask the Revenue officer. I don’t handle this.”
However, when questioned again he said, “Whatever tax we charge is according to PBMC bylaws.”
When Andaman Sheekha contacted the Revenue Officer he asked AS Reporter to meet Accounts Officer, who was unavailable to comment.
However, a Notification of Andaman and Nicobar Gazettee, No. 223, published on 16 December 1999 ( available with Andaman Sheekha) clearly says that ‘personal apparel in use and not imported for sale’ and ‘Bonafide personal luggage and household kit that is not imported for sale’ shall be exempted from the levy of Octori, and terminal tax.
Isn’t it an open loot and harassment? Hope the PBMC will read the cause Number 3, (iii) (a) and (b) of the said Notification before harassing public in future.
great job sir . The head sitting on the chair not know the true fact and encouraging subordinate to take unwanted money from the people and make people harass. they are reponsible person and should know the rule and acquaint it with people.
If something charged from a person for buying personel goods, the person must be informed about the rule and details of money charged.
after this, they should refer the rule and take action accordingly.
Realy a good expose of this money hungry fools. I purchase many things online for my personal needs and these fools charge the octoi even to the common people. Now we all need to raise our voice against them.