While pointing out that the provisions of octroi refund were meant for only the goods during transit, Shyam Satpute alleged that two self proclaimed ``octroi agents'' were expediting the work of octroi refund on cement and steel being used for construction activities in the fringe villages.

As per the norms, Satpute said, the octroi duty which is collected on goods while they are being brought to the city, is repaid after they are sent out of the city. He alleged, these norms were being flouted for the last two years as the civic administration was repaying the duty paid on cement and steel used in fringe villages.

As high as 80 per cent of the octroi duty collected on import of cement and steel is being refunded, Shyam Satpute pointed out. Previously, he said, Pune was a transit point for the cement and steel being sent to several neighbouring areas including Satara and Baramati. The refund of the duty on the goods being used in the fringe villages was legal before the merger. However, such refund can not be made any more as these villages have been merged in the PMC limits, he added.

Earlier, Kapoor told the general body that an amount of Rs 181,26,56,373 was collected as octroi duty in 1997-98 while the amount of refund in the year was Rs 9,54,47,313. In 1998-99, the PMC collected Rs 292,35,22,018 as octroi duty, he added. However, he failed to furnished the statistics about the refund made in the year as the civic administration was yet to cross check the records of the octroi department with the auditor. He assured that the information would be furnished within a week.