Petroleum mafia blamed for evading taxes

17/02/2016

HERAT CITY (SW): Authorities at the Herat’s Standard and Norm (S&N) department have blamed importers of petroleum products for tax evasion.

According to the S&N, some 15 firms involved in this trade are systematically evading taxes by illegally acquiring tax exemption. Aminullah Amin, head of the S&N told Salam Watandar that these firms have imported some 29000 oil tankers via the Tor Ghondi crossing during the past one year without paying the import tax/ duties.

He noted that a couple of years ago, only few firms were allowed to import oil for the NATO forces free of duty but now the number of such firms has drastically swollen. He stressed that despite the fact that the number of NATO soldiers in the north has fallen phenomenally but the amount of oil imported in their name keeps rising.

Some traders associated with this business too are concerned over the state of affairs. Zalmai Yousufi, an oil importer said in this regard that tax free imports inflict heavy financial loss upon the government. He noted that those involved in this crime have ties with well-placed and influential figures in the government.

Salam Watandar wished to have the view of related provincial department in Herat but to no avail.

Musafar Qoqandi, spokesman for the Ministry of Trade and Commerce however, highlighted that there is a committee in place with the representation of the Presidential Palace (Arg), and the ministries of trade, commerce and finance to curb such practices.

He vowed that the government’s efforts to address this problem have reduced the tax-free import of oil by 40 percent.

ENDS

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