Meerut UPSRTC Office Sealed Over Rs 29 Crore Tax Dues

The UPSRTC regional managers office in Meerut was sealed by the municipal corporation due to outstanding tax dues of Rs 29 crore. The office was sealed without informing the staffers, who were present inside during the process.

In a significant development, the Meerut Municipal Corporation team sealed the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) regional manager's office on Tuesday, January 9, due to an outstanding tax of Rs 29 crore. The office was sealed while staffers were still inside the building, leading to a tense situation.

Reason Behind Sealing

According to a senior municipal corporation official, the UPSRTC UP Roadways regional manager's office has been repeatedly served notices regarding the pending house tax of Rs 29 crore. Despite these notices, UPSRTC officials failed to deposit the due amount or provide any satisfactory responses. Consequently, following orders from senior officials, the municipal corporation team took the drastic step of sealing the office entrance.

Staffers' Allegations

Bharat Bhushan, an accountant posted in the UPSRTC regional manager's office, expressed his displeasure over the manner in which the sealing was carried out. He alleged that the municipal corporation team sealed the office entrance without informing the staffers present inside. Bhushan further claimed that more than 35 officers and employees were inside the office during the sealing process, and the team did not even bother to bring them out before sealing the entrance.

UPSRTC's Response

In-charge Regional Manager Lokesh Rajput acknowledged the situation and informed his seniors about the matter. He also mentioned that the Meerut Commissioner had been notified about the incident.

Tax Officer's Statement

Tax officer Rajesh Kumar Singh revealed that the last notice regarding the pending house tax was issued to the regional manager's office in November 2022. However, UPSRTC officials continued to refuse payment, citing the example of the UP Roadways office in Varanasi, which does not pay any house tax. Singh clarified that the case of Varanasi is different as the roadways office there is located in the cantonment area.

Resolution

After the intervention of District Magistrate Deepak Meena, the seal on the office door was finally removed around 4 pm, approximately five hours after it was initially sealed. This development brought relief to the stranded staffers and allowed the office to resume its operations.

The sealing of the UPSRTC regional manager's office in Meerut highlights the importance of timely payment of taxes and the consequences of neglecting such obligations. It also underscores the need for effective communication and coordination between government agencies and public entities to avoid inconvenience and disruption of essential services.