The apparent soft-pedalling by Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP Government in Madhya Pradesh to give its recommendation for the termination of tainted IAS couple, Arvind and Tinoo Joshi,despite the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) seeking the duo’s ouster has thrown up more questions than answers.
The power couple, who belong to the IAS 1979 batch, had hogged the headlines after the Income Tax Department raided their residence here in February 2010 and unearthed assets valued at `360 crore. Also,`3crore in cash was seized in the raid carried out at the Joshis’ premises.
In the wake of the action by the I-T Department Arvind and Tinoo-- who had been posted as Principal Secretary(Jail) and Women and Child Development Department Secretary respectively-- were placed under suspension by the state government. According to official sources, after the IT raid on the Joshis, the UPSC had set up a 11-member panel to look into the matter, following which it recommended Joshis’ termination from service on March 13.
Consequently, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) wrote to the MP Government on March 20, seeking its recommendation on the matter, along with a reply from the Joshis within 15 days.
But even though it is well over a month since the missive from the UPSC, the Chouhan Government has kept mum on the issue. Not only that, the state administration is yet to give its recommendation for Joshis’ ouster.
“After the intimation from DoPT was received, the state government issued a letter to Joshis on March 26 and asked them to submit a reply within 15 days.”
“However, 10 days after the stipulated period ended, the Joshis wrote to the state government seeking more time to submit their reply. Chouhan, who also holds the General Administration Department(GAD)portfolio, is likely to accept the couple’s request,” an official said.