NEW DELHI: The Directorate of Vigilance (DOV) has ordered dismissal of a GST officer posted at the Trade and Taxes department of the city government and accused him of financial corruption of Rs 23.47 crores.
Officials said that the accused officer, Manoj Kaushik, issued various illegal refund orders from the tax money within a short span of joining the department which indicates kickback from certain individuals.
It was found the refunds were authorised to non-existent firms which the DOV officials confirmed through physical verification of the addresses mentioned.
“The officer is responsible for illegally issuing 122 refund orders worth Rs 9.68 crores (approx.) in two months without verifying the credentials of the dealers. He illegally approved refund orders worth Rs 2.24 crores on the same date of applying the refunds and remaining Rs 7.44 crores were approved within five days to non-existing firms,” a senior official said.
“Besides, huge illegal refunds were made amounting to Rs 4.11 crores to the dealers who were found non-existing and non-traceable,” he added.
“Manoj Kaushik, Grade-I (DASS) while working as the Goods & Services Tax Officer (GSTO) of Ward-41 of the Department of Trade & Taxes committed gross misconduct as he issued a large number of refund orders (122) amounting to Rs 9,68,35,059 crore within in 2 months to a number of dealers without verifying their credentials/records/functioning with ulterior motive for pecuniary gains,” the order copy read.
It added, “It caused huge revenue loss to the government exchequer. Out of which 26 number of refund applications amounting to Rs 2.24 Cr were approved on the same date of applying refund and 96 refund applications amounting to Rs 7.44 crore were approved within a short span of 5 days to non-existent firms.”
After an inquiry by the Vigilance Department, it was proved that Manoj Kaushik was indulged in this misconduct and disciplinary authority has imposed the penalty of dismissal from services, the order added. “Manoj Kaushik will lose all pensioner benefits and be disqualified for future employment,” it added.