Rajasthan govt grants undue benefits to cement firms

The Government of Rajasthan appears to have granted undue advantage to the cement manufacturers in the state, causing a loss of crores of rupees to the exchequer between 2002 and 2005. The State assembly's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has initiated a probe into the irregularity. The matter relates to loss of revenue to the state arising from cement manufacturers' failure in filling up 'Form C'. On the basis of the Central Government's directions, a notification was issued in 2002 making it mandatory for cement manufacturers engaged in inter-state trade to fill the form. However, compliance of the notification was not ensured in the state until 2005. Contact: Government of Rajasthan. Tel: 0141-222 2011. Fax: 0141-222 4855. E-mail: webmaster @rajasthan. gov.in