Sisodia slams Centre for protecting hawala operators

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday accused the Centre of protecting hawala operators in Delhi and blocking the efforts of Aam Aadmi Party government to seize black money from corrupt businessmen.

“The process to <g data-gr-id="27">shunt</g> out VAT commissioner Vijay Kumar was triggered when his department conducted a raid in Janakpuri area and found that a businessman was running 40 fake companies from a room and evading a huge amount of tax money,” said Manish Sisodia, alleging that the Home Ministry was hell-bent to transfer Kumar out of Delhi even after repeated requests of the AAP government to retain him. 

“Diwali season is very crucial for tax-related raids. As per our policy, VAT department started conducting raids on those who were evading huge amounts of tax money and thus making black money. We have given up the policy of harassing genuine tax payers but targeting big fishes on the basis of specific information,” he added. 

The deputy Chief Minister further alleged that the Central government’s decision to transfer Kumar was under pressure from a tax evaders’ lobby. He, however, did not mention the name of the businessman in this case but mentioned some successful raids carried out by VAT department in recent times like a dry-fruit dealer and a restaurant chain in Delhi.

“We had closed transfer-posting <g data-gr-id="34">industry</g> but Modi (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) government had started it,” blamed Sisodia. 

He emphasised that it would be the prerogative of the Delhi government on who would be our VAT commissioner. 

“We stuck to the order of ministry of Home Affairs to consult Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on the transfer and posting of officers but this time we were not consulted. The Central government transferred our four senior officers without even consulting us,” he added. 

However, the order of transferring senior IAS officer Vijay Kumar to Lakshadweep was issued on July 7, 2015, but the fresh round of confrontation between Delhi LG Najeeb Jung and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal came to the forefront after the former issued Kumar’s relieving orders last Monday, ignoring Kejriwal’s request not to transfer the officer. 

He further blamed the Central government of violating the Delhi high court order which had restrained both — Delhi and Central government — to exercise restraint and not take action against each other.