Srinagar, Jul 21 (KNS): A major scam has come to fore as a few food processing units in Kashmir who get exemption from toll tax to import poultry for their units sell it to distributors which hits the economy of the local poultry rearing units.

According to local poultry units, a food unit in Pampore in nexus with some agents at Lakhanpor Toll plaza gets exemption forms on imported poultry trucks but sells the stock to some distributors and the exemption forms as well.

As per guidelines, the toll exempted stock should be unloaded at the food unit in presence of industries and commerce officials and Range officers of Excise Commission.

Sources said in the last four days at least 18 trucks loaded with poultry have passed Lakhanpor plaza with exempted forms but none of the trucks has been unloaded at the food unit.

Local poultry rearers have caught some trucks loaded with chicken from Punjab at Parimpora Mandi and when they checked the challan it was in the name of Modern Foods, Frestbal Pampore.

The trucks were on way to Baramulla and other northern districts for distributors when as per guidelines they should have been unloaded at the aforesaid food unit in presence of officials concerned.

Local poultry unit owners said that the exempted chicken stock is hitting their business and poultry stock.

The local poultry traders have checked two trucks with bearing no PB06 AS 6426 and PB32P 9238 meant for the above aforesaid unit but these trucks were moving towards north Kashmir with exempted form.

As per rules, a registered food unit gets exemption for chicken stock from Excise and Industries departments. However, the aforesaid unit sells the exemption form to his agents at Lakhanpore who in turn sell it in black market.

Sources said this incurs huge toll losses to the state government and also hits local poultry rearers.

Director Industries and Commerce, Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah said that he will look into matter.

Excise Officials said that they will check the veracity of claims made by local poultry units and take action if any food unit or official is found involved. (KNS)