Assam BJP Accuses Akhil Gogoi of Multi-Crore GST Evasion

Guwahati: The Assam BJP launched a fresh offensive against Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi on July 17. Party officials demanded the Sivasagar MLA provide a "direct and unequivocal" response to claims of massive GST evasion at the Kaziranga Orchid and Biodiversity Park. Spokesperson Kamal Kumar Medhi led the charge at the party headquarters.

The BJP claims the park pulls in 10 to 12 crore rupees annually, with 7 to 8 crore coming from entry fees. Medhi argues the facility owes 1.5 crore in GST every year. He accused Gogoi of hiding 12 to 15 crore in tax liabilities over the last eight years. The party also alleges that staff pocketed entry fees directly into personal bank accounts instead of reporting them.

Gogoi claims he had to borrow money from his wife to pay park staff. The BJP finds this hard to swallow. Medhi questioned how the park grew from 26 bighas to over 100 bighas if the finances were so dire. He demanded Gogoi reveal if the land was donated or grabbed illegally. The ruling party also noted that four of Gogoi's family members sit on the 10-person governing board, despite the park initially being formed under the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti.

Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah first raised these issues on the floor of the Assam Legislative Assembly. The BJP further pressed Gogoi on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's claim that the MLA distributed 1.5 lakh rupees in cash to local Namghars before the election. While Gogoi insists he used cheques, the BJP wants a full investigation. Spokesperson Pranjal Kalita and media panellist Kaushik Pal Das backed the accusations during the briefing.