Latest news with #KSrinivasaRao
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tax dept to take the help of AI to stop evasion by granite quarries in Palnadu dist
Vijayawada: The recent seizure of huge stocks of granite in Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh has brought the tax evasion racket, which seems to be running smoothly for the past several years, to the fore. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sources claim many 'influential players' are behind the racket that provides unhindered passage to precious mineral stocks to reach their destinations without payment of taxes to the treasury. The state tax dept too received inputs about vehicles moving from AP to other states without payment of taxes, and initiated measures a few months back to track down tax evasion with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), drone surveillance, GPS tools, and satellite images. It also sought support from line depts like police, revenue, mines and geology, and transport to check the malpractices. However, the nexus of some field level officials with granite factory owners is said to be aiding the tax evasion. Sources said hundreds of granite-laden lorries are ferrying between different states from mine-rich districts of Bapatla, Prakasam, Palnadu, and Kadapa. Managements of granite quarries and polishing units are said to be in the forefront of the tax evasion racket. The traders are said to have struck a deal with local political leaders for safe passage of stocks with a payment of just 30% of the actual tax amount to be paid to the govt. As per rules, Rs 12 per sq ft of seigniorage should be paid to the govt in addition to the 18 percent GST, which works out to be around Rs 1 lakh per lorry. But the traders are paying around Rs 30,000-35,000 per lorry of stock to the 'unauthorized syndicate'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now GFX Tax authorities intercepted granite lorries near Tangeda village of Gurazala constituency and found stocks moving without payment of taxes Tax officials were threatened by the syndicate when they seized the lorries Joint commissioner Geetha Madhuri requested Palnadu SP K Srinivasa Rao for support 14 lorries were stopped near the inter-state border after police rushed to the spot
New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Ryots protest against second phase land pooling in Andhra
GUNTUR: Tension flared in Ponnekallu village of Tadikonda mandal on Saturday when a group of villagers staged a protest during a Grama Sabha. It may be recalled that the State government has commenced the second phase of land pooling for Amaravati's development, and the Grama Sabhas are being held in Tadikonda mandal to gather farmers' views. The meeting, attended by Tadikonda MLA Sravan Kumar and officials, was disrupted by protestors who raised slogans such as 'Go back,' opposing the proposed land acquisition and alleging a lack of transparency. The meeting was halted. Guntur RDO K Srinivasa Rao told TNIE that a few farmers disrupted the session with 'ulterior motives'. However, he said that Grama Sabhas in nearby villages such as Nekkallu and Tadikapadu were conducted peacefully, with most farmers agreeing to part with their land. Grama Sabhas were completed in the other nine villages of the mandal. While supporting the land pooling initiative, many farmers raised concerns regarding loan waivers on pledged lands, an increase in annual lease payments, and a 15-year lease period, similar to what was offered during the first phase. MLA Sravan Kumar assured the farmers that their concerns would be brought to the Chief Minister's attention and that suitable steps would be taken after due consideration.
New Indian Express
17-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Andhra irrigation dept official in ACB net for taking bribe
ONGOLE: Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials on Monday caught K Srinivasa Rao, a Senior Assistant at the Markapur Irrigation (Special Division) Office, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 from contractor Y Srinivasa Reddy. The bribe was allegedly demanded for processing pending contractual bills. According to ACB officials, the complainant had completed irrigation works and requested Rao to forward his bills for approval. However, Rao allegedly demanded Rs 30,000 to move the files. When the contractor refused, the officer withheld the bills, insisting on the bribe. Fed up, Reddy lodged a complaint with the Ongole ACB. Following verification, ACB officials laid a trap. The contractor handed over the bribe to Rao in his office, where the ACB team apprehended him and seized the cash. A chemical test confirmed bribe traces on the accused, who was later arrested and will be produced before the ACB court in Nellore. ACB urged citizens to report bribery cases via Toll-Free No: 1064, email: complaints-acb@ or phone: 94404 40057.
