Anna aide Arvind Kejriwal still a government servant?

IS Arvind Kejriwal, a key aide of anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare, still a government servant? According to government records, Kejriwal’s resignation submitted in 2006, was not accepted as yet, thereby making him a government servant in all technical terms.

The issue cropped up when Income Tax department asked him to pay over Rs 9 lakh as dues a week before Hazare was to begin his fast, at least two media reports said. According to official records, Kejriwal has not joined back after he went on a study leave. Kejriwal joined Indian Revenue Service officer after a short stint in Tata Group.

I-T department demanded Kejriwal to return two years’ salary amounting to Rs 3.50 lakh and interest accumulated so far of Rs 4.16 lakh apart from Rs 1 lakh for a computer loan with interests, according to a Times of India report. Kejriwal defended his position saying that he had not violated any conditions in government bond.

He joined the service after he went on study leave. Finally, he resigned in 2006. In earlier communication, Kejriwal had also asked the department to deduct his dues towards the computer loans from his General Provident Fund, according to reports.

Kejriwal’s wife Sunita is also an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer working with the same I-T department which has slapped the notice on Kejriwal.

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All India Judicial Service a reality

The government has said that “it is seized of the matter of creation of an All India Judicial Service under article 312 of the Constitution.” Giving this information in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, law minister Salman Khurshid said that this creation requires a Resolution to be passed by the Rajya Sabha enabling the Parliament to enact necessary laws.

Action and Appointments

a) Pinuel Basumatary, a 1983 batch Indian Audit and Accounts Service officer, has been appointed as Executive Director (North East Region) at the level of joint secretary in the Food Corporation of India at Guwahati. Basumatary will have a five-year term.

Ex-IRS officer BV Kumar writes on nuances of black money transactions

BV Kumar, a 1958 batch Indian Revenue Service officer, has said in a recently published book about business houses “maintaining” Members of Parliament to influence policies. In his book, “The Darker Side of Black Money”, Kumar said how large industrial houses also fund politicians in the Opposition to further their agenda.

Kumar’s observations are considered important as he had worked as Economic Intelligence Bureau director general among others. He also served as the director general of Narcotics Control Bureau.

Kumar is a contemporary of former National Security Adviser and IB chief MK Narayanan. Narayanan who is now West Bengal Governor writes in the foreword that the publication of book could not have been better timed, referring to the current wave of corruption-related scams. Narayanan was a key aide to PM during the UPA-I regime.

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Defence Service officer debarred

Mahesh Kumar Gupta, a 1984 batch officer of Indian Defence Service of Engineers has been debarred from deputation for a posting under Central staffing for five years as he had failed to join as director in the ministry of textile after being appointed there. Mr Gupta is also debarred from taking up any foreign posting or consultancy work during this same period.

Action and Appointments

a) Anand Agarwal, a 1999 batch Indian Defence Accounts Service officer has been appointed as deputy secretary in the department of telecommunications.