As part of its strategy of 'naming and shaming' big defaulters, the Income Tax department on Sunday published names of 31 tax evaders who owe over Rs 1,500 crore (Rs 15 billion) tax to the government.

The names, last known addresses and vital financial details of these entities were published in newspapers here as the department mentioned that either these assessees were "not traceable" to it or the taxman found "inadequate assets" in the name of these defaulters to obtain the due taxes from them.

"The step is aimed to publicise and put these names in public domain so that the common man can come forward to help the department in knowing the whereabouts of these defaulters.

The step is to enhance public awareness against these entities who are acting against law.

These names were earlier were put up on the department's website earlier," a senior I-T officer said. The department published the names of the 31 defaulters under the seal of the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (Administration) based in the national capital here.

Adopting an aggressive approach, the government for the first time had earlier gone public with names of a set of 18 tax defaulters who owe Rs 500 crore (Rs 5 billion) to the I-T department and have since turned wilful defaulters.

Some of the names published today under the income tax/corporate tax defaulters list are: Hyderabad-based Totem Infrastructure (401.64 crore or Rs 4 billion)), Pune-based Patheja Bros Forging & Auto Parts Mfg Co (Rs 224.05 crore or Rs 2.24 billion)), Hyderabad-based Royal Fabrics (Rs 158.94 crore); and Mumbai-based Home Trade (Rs 72. 18 crore).

The Income Tax appealed these entities to pay their tax arrears "immediately."

"This is the second list that the tax department has put in public domain.The department, in the public notice, has provided the PAN number and the last known address of these defaulters for the public to know," the official added.

As per a statement given by government in Parliament, the total Corporate Tax demand pending for collection up to the month of December, 2014 was Rs 3,11,080 crore (Rs 3,110.80 billion) (PTI)