In a major crackdown on corruption within the Central Goods and Services Tax (GST) department, two officials have been suspended for allegedly extorting ₹7 lakh from traders in Chhattisgarh under the guise of GST irregularities. The accused officers, Superintendent Pallav Parganiya and Ashish Pathak, faced disciplinary action after the state's Finance Minister, O.P. Choudhary, intervened and recommended an investigation.
Finance Minister's Intervention Leads to Swift Action
The case came to light when local traders lodged complaints about coercive money collection by the two officials. Upon receiving the complaints, Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary escalated the matter to GST headquarters in Delhi, urging immediate action. Following an internal probe, the allegations were substantiated, leading to their suspension with immediate effect.
Intensified Scrutiny on GST Officials
This development has prompted the Central GST department to tighten its vigilance over officials posted in Chhattisgarh. Reports indicate that similar complaints had been raised earlier but were not pursued seriously until the Finance Minister's intervention. Authorities are now actively monitoring GST personnel to prevent further misconduct.
The swift action against the suspended officers signals a strong message against corruption in tax administration, reinforcing the government's commitment to transparency and accountability in the GST system.
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