Perheps as a support to the traders the TV channel AAJTAK conducted sting operation on the Sales Tax Deptt and 82 babus were caught extracting bribes.
But I regret that why does TV channel got such a low score. Every one who deals with ST depptt knows that whole of the ST deppt is corrupted. The pen or file just dont move without money.The honest ones getthemselves transferred fron Sales Tax , or other depptts and greedy ones pay to get a posting in ST depptt.
I would like to know what was the hurry they could have covered whole Deppt and would have been amazaed to know that almost 90% are corrupt.
Why only 82 were hand picked.
why others are spared.
what was the sample size
what was the result in % of sample choosen
If AJJTAK could reply then this would really help
Only clearing odd 82 would not help the whole system needs to be revamped.
Earleir the TV expose sent shockwaves through the government. Even though corruption amongst sales tax babus is common knowledge, the rivetting television images set off public anger. Several visitors to the sales tax office on Wednesday lauded the media effort in nailing the corrupt employees.
Reacting to the developments, the government ordered raids at the residences of the employees caught on television. More suspensions are expected and FIRs are being filed. The process is expected to continue on Thursday. A report on the operation has been sent to the Union home ministry.
``The strictest action will be taken against employees caught on tape,'' Sales Tax Commissioner R K Verma said.
The TV channel took the help of businessmen to bring out the corruption prevalent in the Sales Tax Office at ITO. The officials were found to be openly demanding and accepting bribes to issue certificates and licences. Officials included high ranking salestax officers (STOs) and assistant sales-tax officers (ASTOs). Women officials were also found accepting bribes.
After the expose hit television screens, CM Sheila Dikshit called an emergency meeting attended by finance minister A K Walia, chief secretary S Regunathan and Verma late on Tuesday night. They will be scrutinised and officials will be identified for further action. Once identified, these officials will be suspended.
Delhi finance minister A K Walia, said: ``We will now scrutinise the list of officials for posting. Anybody with a doubtful character or bad record will not be given a sensitive posting. We will increase surveillance.''
UNDER THE TABLE DEALS
A little bit of money -- or a lot of it -- can make things happen. This is how helpful babus bend and twist rules:
Kerosene sale: Shopkeepers sell controlled price kerosene in open market while a cut ensures that officials look the other way
Ration card: Fake ration cards are easily available. Many food and civil supplies officials were nabbed recently selling the cards
Driving licence: Touts can easily get you a licence without a test. Rates vary. It is hoped that computerisation will reduce the menace posed by touts and pliant officials
DDA procedures: Converting leasehold flat to freehold would mean shelling out at least Rs 35,000 extra for an MIG flat to touts
Footage may trip VAT remedy
Ironically, television footage of sales tax officials caught receiving bribes might have delayed implementation of VAT, the tax system that is expected to put an end to the discretionary powers of babus which enable them to extract bribes from businessmen and traders.
The Value Added Tax (VAT) is to be implemented by April 1. But the sting operation has cast a shadow of doubt on the integrity of sales tax officials, making it difficult for the government to decide which officials should be charged with the implementation of the new tax regime.
For one, the 800-strong department is already shortstaffed. ``We have a shortage of staff and the recent suspensions are likely to delay the implementation of VAT,'' A K Walia, finance minister admitted. He added that surveillance would have to be stepped up and officials posted only after scrutiny.
``There has been slackness at the supervisory level,'' said S Regunathan, chief secretary. Officials admitted that even if the sting was motivated, it had only served to strengthen the fact that VAT was needed to weed out corrupt elements from the system. ``We have been discussing the extent of corruption in the system for a month now. This is why it is important that VAT should be implemented soon,'' Walia said.
The TV clippings were the subject of discussion everywhere in Delhi Government. Senior officers watched the replays and ``breaking news'' relating to the developments and telephones were busy as the officialdom exchanged gossip and talked of the possible implications of the scam.
Sales tax officials said that VAT would reduce the amount of public dealing. ``The traders only need to maintain records of their sales and stock. Scrutiny will also be reduced to just 1-2% of the traders,'' an official said.
ZOOMING IN
Govt will introduce measures to check corruption:
- CCTVs in public dealing offices like sales tax and transport departments
- Access-control mechanism to regulate visitors
Later on There were reports that 32 of the idebtified persons have been suspended and work at the Sales Tax Office is at standstill as babus are not reporting to duties.
BJP asks for CM's resignation
New Delhi: Delhi BJP demanded the resignation of chief minister Sheila Dikshit in the wake of a corruption expose by a private television channel.
BJP MLA and leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Jagdish Mukhi said: ``After the telecast of officials taking bribe openly, the chief minister does not have the face to remain in office. It has unmasked the real face of Sheila Dikshit.'' Alleging corruption in the government and even in the chief minister's office, Mukhi said: ``Money is taken for transfer and postings in the government offices. Many officials in the chief minister's office also demand money for transfers.''
Source AAJTAK, www.timesofindia.com and businessman and professionals like lawyers and Chartered Accountants who deal in Sales Tax.
