News Brief
Centre Orders Fact-Based Inquiry Into Wintrack Inc Allegations Against Chennai Customs
A Chennai port terminal (Representative Image)
The Ministry of Finance announced on Thursday (2 October) that it has taken note of the allegations by Tamil Nadu logistics company Wintrack Inc against Chennai Customs and ordered a detailed fact-based inquiry into the matter, India Today reported.
The company alleged that harassment by customs officials had forced it to shut down operations.
"The Government has taken cognizance of the matter raised by M/s Wintrack Inc (Chennai)," the ministry said in a statement, adding that adding that the Department of Revenue has been tasked with conducting a “fair, transparent and fact-based inquiry” into the matter.
The ministry noted that a senior Department of Revenue officer will lead the inquiry, hearing all stakeholders, questioning customs officials, and reviewing documents to establish the facts of the case.
The government stressed that the matter is being dealt with “utmost seriousness” and that it is “committed to taking appropriate and expeditious action in accordance with the law.”
"The matter is being dealt with utmost seriousness, and the Government is committed to taking appropriate and expeditious action in accordance with the law. It is reiterated that the Government is committed to enhancing ease of doing business," the ministry said.
The statement also highlighted reforms such as the Taxpayer Charter, faceless customs systems, and new appellate bodies for dispute resolution, reaffirming the government’s focus on improving the ease of doing business.
Wintrack Inc’s founder, Prawin Ganeshan, claimed that exposing two instances of bribery demands earlier this year led to retaliation, severely damaging the firm’s operations.
In his post, he wrote: “In India, there’s no ease of business, only corruption at every level of governance.”
He further alleged that his wife’s firm had to pay over Rs 2.1 lakh in bribes for a consignment valued at $6,993, and that officials even offered a 10 percent “discount” in the course of negotiations.
The claims prompted political and industry responses.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor termed the situation “truly dismaying,” adding that corruption remained widespread and most businesses complied as part of “the price of doing business.”
Aarin Capital chairman and former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai also raised concerns, tagging Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi while urging intervention.
