Ludhiana, February 21 The delay in VAT refund has perturbed city businessmen, several of whom have not been paid for more than a year now. Many have lost hope of receiving any given the state government’s “empty coffers”. A businessman based at Sunder Nagar, who deals in wool, rued delay in VAT refund of Rs 12 lakh. “I have deposited each and every document, but it’s been over a year now that I have not been refunded. I am not the only one making rounds of government offices every 15 days. There are several others like me,” said a businessman. Industrialists complained that the department employees had failed to provide them satisfactory replies on payment of VAT refunds. “They keep asking for one or the other document. It has been 5-6 months since I submitted the document, but nothing came of it,” said a businessman.Taxation Advocates’ Association, alleged the businessmen were being harassed. “Businessmen are alleging that the department officials are clearing the files only after getting their share. People are suffering and the number of pending cases is huge. The state government should ensure speedy VAT refunds,” said Khurana.

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