Monday, January 2 2006 17:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Around 50 newspaper owners have been called for questioning by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in connection with the multi-crore newsprint import scam.

The persons, called for questioning, are mainly those running small-time newspapers in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and some other states, DRI sources told sources here today (Jan 2, 2005).

Some of them are politicians who own newspapers, they said. These include at least four MPs or MLAs based in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

The notices for questioning have been issued on the basis of interrogation of five businessmen arrested by DRI for evading taxes while importing paper.

The businessmen are accused of using RNI certificates of newspapers to import paper at lower duties of about five per cent. Taxes on import of paper otherwise is as high as 40 per cent.

The DRI continued its nationwide operations to unearth the magnitude of the scam which is suspected to be to the tune of several hundred crore Rupees.

DRI has already seized at least 300 tonnes of paper and sealed over a dozen godowns in Delhi in connection with the scam.