Elevator companies, firms that lease out advertising hoarding space and industries selling used liquor bottles are evading Value Added Tax to the tune of crores of rupees causing loss to the public exchequer.

A vigilance and enforcement department probe revealed that OTIS Elevators Company (India) Limited evaded Rs 5.99 crore for three years, Prakash Arts Private Limited, Vijayawada, did not pay Rs 6.08 crore for two years and 11 industries in the city supplying used liquor bottles to breweries evaded Rs 2.6 crore for three years.

The dealers of used liquor bottles are evading VAT by suppressing the sales made to the breweries.

OTIS did not pay tax on material bought from outside AP and on amounts collected towards service billing on the pretext that these come under CST Act.