DEHRADUN/HARIDWAR: In a double blow to Patanjali, the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) in Chandigarh has imposed a hefty penalty of Rs 27.5 crore on Patanjali Foods for an irregularity in Input Tax Credit (ITC). The notice comes a day after the Uttarakhand govt suspended the licenses for 14 products sold by Ramdev-led Patanjali Ayurved and Divya Pharmacy, including popular offerings Swasari Gold, Mukta Vati Extra Power, and BP Grit.
The penalty by DGGI Chandigarh stems from the detection of a Rs 20 crore irregularity in ITC, as GST officials revealed. According to GST officials, in case of a fake ITC claim, a penalty can be imposed up to the amount of the ITC claim along with interest. They said in this case, the wrong ITC claim was Rs 20 crore, and the penalty amount is Rs 27.5 croreinclusive of interesthence, the total amount stands at Rs 47.5 crore. Despite attempts by TOI, Patanjali officials remained unresponsive for comment.
Meanwhile, legal tussle escalated as Uttarakhand suspended licenses for 14 Patanjali products, including those mentioned above. The state govt also demanded the formula for these drugs from Patanjali. Patanjali Ayurved media in-charge S K Tijarawala told TOI, "We will reply to the notice served by state govt and take legal recourse regarding the action taken against us."
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