Mani initiates action in the wake of corruption charges against them
Finance Minister K.M. Mani suspended three officials of the Commercial Taxes Department, including Thrissur Deputy Commissioner P.C.Joseph, from service in the wake of corruption charges levelled against them on Tuesday.
A television channel had aired visuals of Mr.Joseph as well as Intelligence Inspecting Assistant Commissioner K.B. Ajith Kumar and Inspecting Assistant Commissioner of the Walayar check-post V.Satyanarayana allegedly seeking bribe for helping a prospective entrepreneur for evading tax and other duties.
Mr.Joseph had said during his conversation with the channel crew that he had accessibility with Mr.Mani’s office and could deliver the goods without any hitch.
He had also dragged the name of Mr.Mani’s son Jose K.Mani into the issue and said they should meet him to get things done. The other two officials had also taken money and gifts for offering their service to evade tax. Mr.Mani deputed Taxes Secretary A.Ajith Kumar to investigate the case and file an inquiry report at the earliest.
Meanwhile, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) Director Mahesh Kumar Singla also ordered an inquiry into the issue.
Flash strike
Staff Reporter writes from Palakkad: A flash strike by Commercial Taxes Department staff at the inter-State Walayar check-post created traffic jam and badly hit the movement of vehicles between Kerala and Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.
The strike started at 12 noon to protest against the suspension of Inspecting Assistant Commissioner V. Sathyanarayana for allegedly taking bribe. The striking staff said Mr. Sathyanarayana did not take bribe but returned a gift given to him at the check-post counter while he was one duty.
The strike ended at 5 p.m. after Commissioner of Commercial Taxes Department Rabindra Kumar Agarwal assured the staff that an inquiry officer would investigate the matter. But the five-hour strike caught the vehicles coming to the State unawares. Drivers had to wait hours together in long queues in the summer heat. The strike also disputed the movement of transport vehicles between the two States.
Keywords: K.M. Mani, Commercial Taxes Department, corruption charges
