India probes Cadbury for Rs.213 crore tax evasion

Indian authorities are investigating the local unit of chocolate maker Cadbury for possible tax evasion to the tune of Rs.213 crore, Minister of State for Finance S.S. Palanimanickam said Thursday.

Cadbury is being probed for two cases of tax evasion. One case is related to service tax evasion involving an amount of Rs.13.43 crore and the other case is related to central excise duty evasion involving an amount of nearly Rs.200 crore.

"Two cases of tax evasion by Cadbury India Limited have been detected by the Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence during the years 2009-10 to 2012-13, up to 31st October, 2012," Palanimanickam said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament.

The minister said in both cases the tax authorities have taken action. - IANS