PUNJAB GOVERNMENT APPOINTS TWO NODAL OFFICERS FOR FACILITATING TAX EXEMPTION ON ANY COVID RELIEF TO BE IMPORTED INTO THE STATE FROM ABROAD

PUNJAB GOVERNMENT APPOINTS TWO NODAL OFFICERS FOR FACILITATING TAX EXEMPTION ON ANY COVID RELIEF TO BE IMPORTED INTO THE STATE FROM ABROAD

PAGREXCO AUTHORIZED AS NODAL AGENCY FOR IMPORT OF SUCH MATERIAL IN THIS REGARD

Chandigarh, May 6-

In the ongoing fight against Corona Virus, the Punjab government has appointed two nodal officers to facilitate the individuals/ organizations in getting tax exemption on any Covid relief to be imported into the state from abroad.

Divulging the details, a spokesperson of the Punjab government said that in order to fight the challenge of Corona virus pandemic more effectively and to facilitate the flow of aid from outside India, the Government of India has provided exemption from customs duty and integrated tax on goods for Covid relief imported into country. He said that the same concessions could be availed for such imports if they were sent free of cost from outside India and are distributed free within India. The spokespersons that said for claiming these exemptions anyone could approach the nodal officer appointed by the State Government of Punjab viz. Mr. Kumar Rahul (IAS) contact no. 9876164787 e-Mail: mdnrhmpunjab@gmail.com & sha.phse@gmail.com and Mr. Ravneet Singh Khurana (IRS C&IT) contact no. 9560954405 email:

addletcgst.audit@punjab.gov.in

The spokesperson further said that any person who wants to send goods for Covid relief from outside India for free distribution in India may contact these officers. Pertinently, Punjab Agri Export Corporation Limited (PAGREXCO) has been authorized as the nodal agency for import of such material in this regard by Government of Punjab. Further, any entity in Punjab who wants to import free of cost goods for Covid relief for free distribution in India could apply on the portal https://taxation.punjab.gov.in/imports/.

The spokesperson further said that once authorized by the government any individual or organization could import such goods without any tax during these turbulent times. He further said that the move has been initiated by the Punjab government to solicit the participation of general public in management of resources for fighting the Covid menace on one hand and to provide a single window for all such clearances in this grave hour of crisis, on the other.