Bhubaneswar, Jan. 27 -- In a major enforcement drive, police and GST officials conducted large-scale raids on tour and travel offices operating along the sea beach in Odisha's Puri district on Tuesday to verify compliance with licensing norms and tax regulations, amid concerns over alleged overcharging of tourists and possible tax evasion.

The coordinated operation was carried out by teams from the GST department and the Sea Beach Police, covering multiple stretches of the Puri sea beach and areas within the municipal limits.

According to sources, the raids were aimed at verifying whether tour and travel agencies had obtained valid trade licences as mandated under the law. Officials also examined whether the agencies were depositing Goo...