Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has ordered a mass transfer of officials in the Trade and Taxes Department following reports of irregularities and corruption. The move comes after the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) conducted raids and found evidence of bribery and malpractices.
Details of the Mass Transfer
As per the orders, over 100 officials, including assistant commissioners and inspectors, have been transferred to different positions across the department. The transfers are effective immediately, and the officials have been asked to report to their new postings within three days.
Reason Behind the Action
The ACB raids revealed that several officials were involved in illegal gratification and manipulation of tax records. The CM's office stated that the mass transfer is aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in the department.
This is not the first time such action has been taken. In 2019, similar transfers were ordered in the same department after complaints of corruption. However, this is the largest-scale transfer in recent years.
Reactions
Opposition leaders have criticized the move, calling it a political stunt. However, the government maintains that it is a necessary step to clean up the system. The transferred officials will be under investigation, and disciplinary action may follow.
The Trade and Taxes Department is responsible for collecting value-added tax (VAT) and other state taxes. The irregularities are estimated to have caused significant revenue loss to the state exchequer.
