Vijayawada barber gets Rs 72 lakh GST notice for ‘scrap business’ he never owned

VIJAYAWADA: A routine day turned into a nightmare for a small-time barber in Vijayawada after he was slapped with a staggering Rs 72 lakh GST notice for a business he claims he has never run.Paidada Srinivasa Rao, a long-time resident of Panja Center, has been running a modest salon for nearly four decades. Known in the neighbourhood for his simple lifestyle, he was left stunned when he recently discovered that his bank account was frozen on the orders of GST officials. The shocking development came to light when he approached his bank for a transaction, only to be told that his account was put on hold due to pending GST dues. Bank officials reportedly advised him to visit Visakhapatnam and clarify the issue with the GST department.According to the GST notice, Srinivasa Rao is allegedly linked to a scrap iron business operating in Visakhapatnam — something he strongly denies. "I have been running only a small salon since my childhood. I have nothing to do with any iron business," he said. Despite his repeated pleas, he claims officials have not responded to his explanation. "This has not only caused financial strain but also disrupted my daily life, as I am unable to access my bank account," he complained.Locals suspect identity theft may be at the root of the problem. They believe unknown persons might have misused his personal documents such as Aadhaar and PAN to register fraudulent business activities without his knowledge. The situation further worsened as Srinivasa Rao's govt welfare benefits have also been halted due to the dispute. Now, the distressed barber is running from pillar to post, seeking justice and trying to prove his innocence in a case that has turned his life upside down.