Clarification

The Lockpur Group of Industries has clarified its position regarding a report, published in the January 19, 2017 issue of the Financial Express under the headline 'Tax evasion invites action against KPPL'.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Chairman of the Lockpur Group of Industries, the owning company of the KPPL (Khulna Printing and Packaging Company Limited), S. M. Amzad Hossain said the management of the company made the disclosure at its Annual General Meeting as part of sensitive information to the shareholders.

"Since the Customs Commissioner, Mongla/ NBR (National Board of Revenue) imposed tax and fine on KPPL and a few other industries of the Lockpur Group of greater Khulna, we have sought - and received in a few cases - relief from the Appellate Tribunal and the Supreme Court," it said.

The Customs Commissioner/ NBR had appealed against the decision of the High Court and the Appellate Division was pleased to decide that the appeal was not maintainable, said the statement.

Among the relevant parts of the decision of the Appellate Division, the writ respondent (Customs Commissioner/ NBR) was directed to recover the outstanding taxes and duties, if there be any, in accordance with law, it mentioned.

Chairman of the NBR was also directed to take legal action against those who in collusion with the writ petitioner released the goods immediately and to report compliance about taking action against them within four weeks from the date of receipt of the order. "Besides (submission of) petitions to the Appellate Tribunal and the High Court, we have also sought relief from the Government," it said.