A disaster is brewing within the BJP-JJP coalition authorities in Haryana. A day after dwelling minister Anil Vij beneficial departmental motion in opposition to excise and taxation commissioner Shekhar Vidyarthi, deputy chief minister and JJP chief, Dushyant Chautala on Friday rejected the “allegations made by a particular enquiry workforce (SET) in opposition to the IAS officer.”
The SET report had blamed Vidyarthi for under giving verbal directions to order the closure of liquor vends throughout the lockdown, dilly dallying the availability of data to SET and hampering the go to of the SET to a distillery.
Chautala who maintain the excise and taxation portfolio additionally stated he was not in settlement with the SET’s observations pertaining to his division. The JJP chief stated coming days would reveal the form of his disagreement with the house minister on the SET findings, indicating the continuing tussle between the 2.
The relations between the 2 have been bitter ever since Chautala as Hisar MP levelled allegations of corruption in buy of medicines in well being division, a portfolio held by Vij within the earlier authorities additionally. Chautala had additionally filed a defamation case in opposition to Vij when the latter snapped at him with a “drug addict” comment.
Defending the IAS officer, Chautala in a press release on Friday stated that Vidyarthi is a senior officer and has completed a commendable job concerning closure of liquor vends.
Rejecting the antagonistic remarks of the SET pertaining to the functioning of excise and taxation division, Chautala stated at a press briefing that the inquiry workforce didn’t have in mind many features earlier than making such observations. “Whether or not it’s in regards to the compliance reviews of closing liquor vends in all of the districts… the inquiry may have been completed in a much better method. I had ordered the closure of all liquor vends on the night of March 26 and compliance reviews got here from all of the districts by 11am on March 27,’’ Chautala stated. He stated that as per the Punjab Excise Act relevant within the state, no officer was allowed to go to a distillery. “Therefore such a requirement made by SET couldn’t be thought of,’’ he stated. Chautala stated since one of many distilleries is situated in Punjab, the Haryana excise division do not need the authority to grant permission to go to.
Taking a swipe on the police division which is below the house minister, Chautala stated 14 FIRs have been lodged concerning illicit liquor by the excise division. Nevertheless, as per the SET report, the police couldn’t conduct any investigation or take any motion in opposition to any officer. The JJP chief stated whereas the excise division has taken motion in opposition to its erring superiors and given a robust message however the police investigation into the matter couldn’t go above the driver-level.