Police continuing probe into missing Toolsie Persaud Limited files --- GRA

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Guyana Chronicle3 May 2007
Police continuing probe into missing Toolsie Persaud Limited files-- GRA

THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) yesterday said it considers the caseinvolving the disappearance of files containing tax records of ToolsiePersaud Limited (TPL) a very serious one in which collusion wasobvious.In a statement, the authority said it refutes a charge by a lawyer forthe company of accountability by the GRA.The GRA said that following the release of its statement on April 24,which stated that the police had been called in to investigate thedisappearance of TPL’s records from the Customs and TradeAdministration, the firm’s Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin provided acomment to the media questioning the protective measures within theGRA.“I am amazed at the conclusion drawn by the lawyer that seems tosuggest that GRA is responsible for the disappearance without dueregard to any involvement of his client to facilitate the so calleddisappearance,” GRA Commissioner-General Mr. Khurshid Sattaur said.“If there was no high possibility that collusion was involved, we wouldnot call in the Police,” he said.The GRA said he added, “We consider collusion a criminal offence and wewill take whatever action is necessary to ensure those involved arebrought to justice”.It said Sattaur asked, “Why would the GRA want to dispose of recordswhich are evidence of a huge amount of tax liability owing to thegovernment?”The GRA’s role is to ensure maximum revenue collection, protection andaccountability, he emphasised, adding “Such an insinuation is thereforeunfounded.”The authority said it will continue to support the Police in theirongoing investigation.Sattaur, it said, noted that the GRA’s actions are a message to partieswhich believe that collusion with GRA officers is sheltered.