Summary:
Most of the shrimp farmers are unaware that the tax liability on illegal shrimp farming is 137%,” said an I-T officer. Similarly, many such demolitions of illegal shrimp farms have taken place in Olpad and Choryasi taluka on regular basis in the last few months.A senior officer at Olpad prant office said, “Tax evaders target government land for setting up illegal shrimp ponds. There are more than 400 such shrimp ponds located on the government land in Olpad and Choryasi talukas. The shrimp and fish cultivated on such illegal farms are exported directly without maintaining record.”Sources in the I-T department said that the officials have found Rs 120 crore worth of business turnover from the shrimp farming in Olpad and Choryasi taluka. They urged them to maintain account balance and pay the tax regularly to avoid adverse action by the department.Official sources said that the shrimp ponds on 70 hectares of government land at Olpad’s Rajagiri village were demolished and that no one came forward to own their farms last month..