Over 580 Immigration Firms in Jalandhar evading GST due to legal loophole

Chandigarh: A recent investigation has revealed that 584 licensed immigration companies in Jalandhar are evading the payment of Goods and Services Tax (GST) by exploiting loopholes in the law.

The discovery emerged after RTI activist Karanpreet Singh requested information from the GST department about the GST registration status of immigration firms operating in the district.

According to the data obtained, out of 1,348 registered immigration and travel agencies, 584 are functioning without GST numbers. The Jalandhar administration’s website lists 1,602 such agencies, but 254 of these licenses have been canceled over the past few years due to various violations.

Despite several efforts by the administration and police to verify the licenses, there is currently no mandatory requirement for these companies to register for GST in Punjab.

Karanpreet Singh also shared a personal experience with a local immigration firm, which demanded Rs 15 lakh for a UK work visa, with Rs 8 lakh requested in cash. After transferring Rs 5 lakh through a bank, Singh was not provided a receipt and subsequently found the company’s office closed, with calls going unanswered. He called for stricter regulations to govern immigration companies.

Responding to these concerns, Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Agarwal said that officials have been directed to crack down on immigration firms operating without proper licenses and to expedite pending cases.

Agarwal said that while a GST number is not required to issue licenses, the GST department is responsible for auditing accounts post-licensing.

Ashok Bali, Jalandhar’s Excise and Taxation Officer, confirmed that the department regularly checks immigration businesses and has issued notices to several companies. He added that appropriate action will be taken against those found violating GST regulations. immigration companies not paying GST in Punjab.