Saturday, September 3, 2011

9 lakhs or 900 crores?

( Old Post, Re Published )

In February 2006, Arvind Kejriwal submitted his resignation from government service. In August 2011, about 5 years later, the government discovered that it was owed Rs 9 lakhs by Arvind Kejriwal, which is inclusive of interest amounting to Rs 5 lakhs  on the amount of roughly Rs 4 lakhs which the government says Arvind Kejriwal wrongly drew as salary. 

It does not bother me a great deal whether or not the government is technically correct in its interpretation of the provisions regarding Study Leave, and in its conclusion that Arvind Kejriwal violated the terms and conditions of the bond he signed when he proceeded on leave and was therefore not entitled to draw salary for that period.  That is a matter which can be resolved quickly enough.

What truly bothers me is that the government has made this momentous discovery at a time when Arvind Kejriwal is being hailed as one of the chief architects of a people's movement which may just change the rules of the game where participatory democracy and accountability in governance are concerned. Instead of welcoming the long - awaited awakening of the people, especially of the comfortably fed and housed middle class, the rulers have "elected" to turn a deaf ear to the voice of the people and launch what they mistakenly consider "persecution" of the people's hero.

What short shortsightedness, what utter lack of perspicacity! Do they not understand that a man who has won the hearts and heads of the people with his deep rooted commitment to public good, courage of conviction, sincerity of purpose, willingness to sacrifice and acumen to lead will not be cowed down by a notice from the Income Tax authorities?

The Income Tax authorities would be better advised to expend their energy, time and ingenuousness on recovering the thousands of crores owed as Income tax dues by Individuals and corporates. Under the FRBM Rules, 2004, the Union Budget now includes a statement  "Tax Revenues raised but not realised", a euphemistic manner of stating the bald truth about the income tax dues that the government is unable to recover from defaulters. The statistics are mind boggling. Individuals owe the government Rs 57,932 crore, and corporates owe another Rs 51,553 crore ----- a grand total of Rs 109, 485 crores of Income Tax not paid which the government finds itself unable to recover!

As per the Union Budget, an amount of Rs 42,949 crore is not even under dispute, which means that the government can employ any means it chooses, including coercive measures such as attachment and sale of the defaulter's property, to recover this amount. Of this, Rs 828 crore is the undisputed amount owed by individuals to the government for more than 10 years ! 

Would you not agree that the Income tax authorities should focus their efforts on recovering these dues? The political bosses may desire action that is politically expedient. They may direct that an ill-advised  notice be sent by the Income tax authorities in a vain attempt to discredit Arvind Kejriwal. The Income tax authorities, surely, should know better. What should be their priority ----the 9 lakhs that Arvind Kejriwal may or may not owe, or the nearly 900 crore that have been pending recovery for more than 10 years?

Do take a look at Annex 11 of the Union Budget ----- http://indiabudget.nic.in/ub2011-12/rec/annex11.pdf .

60 comments:

  1. For those who are interested, here's a very good analysis of the so - called case against Arvind Kejriwal ---- http://janlokpals.blogspot.com/2011/09/744-mr-arvind-kejriwals-study-leave.html?spref=fb

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  2. Thanks a lot for your wonderful blog..I am really proud that we have such a good person working in IRS. Please do write more..Jai Hind

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  3. They have clearly not learned anything from recent mistakes !

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  4. I think we have equal means of retaliating at these crooks. Why not we come up with more info about these people, their party, its funding, advertising, use of govt. machinery etc. The recent example of cash-for-vote where CBI could not find source of the money is childish.
    Synchronised and coordiinated efforts can prove really effective against them.
    Madam, with reference to your yesterdays link, I hv prepared a list of MPs with very less attendence in past three sessions of the parliament. Many of whom are quite consistant in being absent. However I have no idea as to how important it is for MPs to be there and attend the parliament regularly. Please comment so that I can decide about the list.

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  5. Priya, I really appreciate the way you analyzed the issue. I read your almost all the articles but writing to you first time.

    I am a Chartered Accountant and really impressed the way Mr. Kejriwal and you (both IRS) giving your valuable time in to this historical movement in one or the other way. I can understand who much sacrifice one has to do to lead any movement which is against government.

    Priya, though not much but yes first time in my life, I too have something to share that I came out on the road this time and led three rallies to support Anna. I was on Anashan for one day along with our all staff (110 in no.s) at the mail lobby of my office building. I know it is nothing as such as compared to the requirement, but this little involvement has promoted me like anything to play active role now.

    I would request you to please guide, how I can be an active participant in this movement in our region or other areas?

    Looking forward to you response.
    Best Regards

    CA Sanjay Agarwal
    9825045937
    sanjay@adcaindia.com

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  6. I appreciate your post. Power has made these rulers mad... I read long back somewhere, god made man, man made money, and money made the man mad.. these people who have been shelving away huge wealth have lost all credibility to question honest, dedicated and inspired citizens of this great nation. I am an optimist... Feel things would change for better.
    wishes
    vijay

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  7. Good Analysis Really.
    Hope Income tax authorities look seriously in recovering 900 cr. which is pending for more than 10 years.
    Hope Income tax authorities dont only work for their political bosses.

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  8. people from his own service/cadres, his own ex-peers have been mendicant, cowards and sole-lickers.....they have shown the real character of the Indian bureaucracy.......nobody has the guts and spine to stand straight and not become just a pawn in the hand of the politicians.

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  9. I would request you to please guide, how I can be an active participant in this movement in our region or other areas?

    Looking forward to you response.
    Best Regards

    vikrant
    9212393397
    vikranta_dj@yahoo.com

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  10. There is also an article in Tehelka according to which government is not recovering thousands of crores from Five Start hotels which are provided land on rent in Lutyens area in New Delhi.

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  11. http://www.facebook.com/notes/nitin-gupta/the-curious-case-of-rahul-gandhi/10150165037156384

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  12. Government is still not learning from its mistakes.. They are creating blunders one after another and falling deeper into morass. By all these tactics, They are only helping Anna's cause, and it shows Govt.'s reluctance to take the matter of corruption Head-on.

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  13. this has been a perennial problem with the govt n their agencies,,,,, either they are at never at right place at right time or their timing n focus is wrong,,, instead of recovering big losses by bad people,,they focus on small amount of nice people just bcos these people dare to challenge their wrong,,,,, this traits are genetic to congress, politicians

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  14. Mam, I salute Mr.Arvindji and your efforts.
    Mam, if a person is sunken in corruption from head to toe, how can he allow his own govt to take action against corrupt?
    Even many of my friends and relatives, whose father/mother being corrupt, dont support this movement, which is clear transparent like anything.
    The only solution to this is, that people all over India, fix a week long protest in the betterment of nation, and come on streets. Govt can crush one Baba Ramdevji, but not 1billion Babas.

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  15. You have written so right. Power makes people Mad and at times autocratic, foolish and ill advised too.. The ongoing time is witness to this. On another note, I think , being in Govt service , you should take care of publicly not speaking against such a Govt who is determined to employ any means to crush patriotic minded people. They want spineless officers and those who obey them in their misdeeds. We don't want to lose brave people like you , esp. from the area of Governance or Taxation.

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  16. Thanks a lot for sharing the facts and your perspective. I could not agree more. It comes to me as a non-compassionate effort by Government wherein its vindictive stand is displayed by the timing and intent. Truly the larger question is that how government (read party in power) decides its priority is it 900 crores or 9 lakhs!! again well written... kudos

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  17. Dear Madam,
    Kindly dont be so out spoken... may be you will be the next to be targeted by your department for outspokenness...:):):) I wish you all the best,

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  18. You have written so right.please keep up.the society needs persons like you.Thank you madam.

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  19. Madam,you have written so right. keep up.The society needs persons like you.thank you.

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  20. I had a question - Can these figures & facts be made into some kind of case against the IT Deptt. ? Can they be challenged in the court as to why IT Deptt. is not actively recovering this due ammount the same way as they have issued the notice to Mr Kejriwal ? Can an RTI be filed on this issue ? Please clarify.

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  21. I really wish they attack Anna team more n more. Cos the more they do the more ppl get angry and in turn actively join this movement. I was contributing to this movement just through internet until Manish Tewari came out with that horrific press briefing and went ahead to the extent of labelling Anna as a corrupt person from head to toe. It angered me to such an extent that finally even I took to the streets here in USA and shouted slogans during those protests in India. Now this attack on Kejriwal is only going to gain Kejriwal more sympathy from the public at large. People know wat Kejriwal has done and they also know wat a Digvijay singh has done. So any public comment by such a low character person as Digvijay is the best thing to come by at such times. I sincerely hope congress continues to carry on this stupidity and indirectly catalyse this movement.

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  22. Gr8 Job! If u don't have knowledge the govt. will trap as they want. Really the rule always favor people but u must have the knowledge of it. We all r with Mr. Kejriwal! The Income Tax dept. has learned that 9lacs is greater than 900crores. Its the time that now the Income Tax dept. official must be removed from their Job if they don't know which amount is greater!

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  23. I agree with Chinoo saxena questions. and agree with Sumeet mohanty Views too ... It gives optimism in this environment which is depressive , to say the least.

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  24. I am thankful to God that there are so many people in our country who have strong heart and dare to fight against corrupt politician. I know that these corrupt politician are trying to annoy our heroes of movement. I am with Arvind Kejriwal Ji. Please feel free to send me mail on sunny.doon@gmail.com if we have to collect money for him. Again thanks for this wonderful Blog...

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  25. healthy information.. and a very nice initiative Priya..

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  26. This is quite informative and mostly guiding to behave in concern with the agitation against corruption by common man. Thanks.

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  27. Mr.chinoo sxena,
    We can file RTI application.

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  28. Mr. Chinoo sxena,

    Yes,we can file RTI application.

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  29. Priya: you echo the sentiments of right mind people. The "effort" and "sincerity" of govt is for all to see. The IT dept wants to recover from the hard earned money from AK bcoz they know he values it. The big money from others is not earned anyways and hence their uncertainty in recovering it. Isn't it easier to get after honest people who would comply law than the thugs who are way ahead of IT laws.

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  30. Priya the article is really nice but a small observation, if realizing 900 crore is extremely important and 9 lakh is trivial then why to include Gr. C and gr. D employees in the ambit of Lokpal? Just include the big fishes. Second, this man is popular therefore he should be exonerated! Our politicians will start drawing unlimited immunity on this ground.

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  31. Thanks for this Priya nice work...everybody some point of time reach enlightenment good to know that more people are ready to contribute to our society for the betterment of the fellow country men..

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  32. its not the matter of 9 lakhs.. they just want too find the means to target and discredit team anna and anybody else who tries to put control on their loot.. well they wnt succeed now rather they will jeopardize themselves ].

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  33. 40% Of Indians Live below BPL (below poverty line). i.e 60 to 70 rs per day.

    Now basic requirements
    1. Food
    2. Health
    3. SHELTER
    4. EDUCATION
    5. ELECTRICITY
    6. PURE WATER.

    now how can a person meet his basic needs with just 60 to 70 rs per day???

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  34. Chinoo Saxena---certainly ----citizens should ask the Income Tax authorities why they are so lax in recovering tax arrears ----you could file an RTI application with Member (Revenue), Central Board of Direct Taxes, North Block, New Delhi -----tel no. is 011-23092831 ----my suggestion is that the RTI application be as specific as possible ---- interestingly, CAG has pointed out that the Income Tax authorities have an inefficient mechanism for tax recovery ---- here's an informative news item --- http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/article1553514.ece

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  35. Mohit Lila ---- no offender, no matter how big or small the offence, should go unpunished if rule of law is to prevail -----in Arvind Kejriwal's case, the offence (violation of Study Leave bond) is still a contentious issue ----the Rs 900 crores are in respect of undisputed cases -----that is, cases in which the courts have delivered a final verdict and it has been indisputably settled that the amount is owed to the Income Tax authorities ------moreover, it is the timing of the notice that is suspect -----authorities that are castigated year after year by CAG for inefficiency in recovery of tax arrears are able to find the time and resources to issue a notice to AK !

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  36. very true.. i wonder if indeed corruption can be abolished or curbed to some extent with the current political system in place. From PM to Peon most are neck deep in corruption or either turning blind eye to corrupt practices. Current Democracy is total failure in this country. Sab bhagwan bharose chal raha hai.

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  37. Thank u madam for good message .....

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  38. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Jet-flew-to-Mumbai-to-get-Mayawati-s-favourite-sandals-US/Article1-741822.aspx


    pls comment on this

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  39. madam.. thanx for the hard work u r doing... its only coz of people like u nd kejriwals that i nd many others r optimistic abt indias future.. keep doing this.. excellent...

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  40. You have articulated very well what millions Indians feel strongly...this Govt has the most warped sens of priorities...its cluelss..rudderless...and in deep a crisis of leadesrship.

    People like Arvind Kejriwal made us have faith agian..He & Anna gave us belief once more..that there is still hope.I wld follow such a man anywhere...cant say the same for a single Indian leader..atleast in my lifetime.
    As for the Rs 9 lac is concerned...even if technically its owed by Arvind Kejriwal..it does not bother me one bit.

    Thanks for the post..pl keep it coming.

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  41. Minister Praful Patel declared he has two properties worh 6 lacs/each in worli,mumbai. Even a stree kid in Mumbai can laugh on this as he knows in 6 lacs you can't even get an area for a toilet there. Does this minster deserves to get some notice from some department ? OR this is also their privilege which allows them to provide wrong information without fear of rules ?

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  42. the government is shooting itself over and over again!! and it will keep shooting till it's leg comes off!

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  43. संवाद प्रक्रिया के लिए देशवासियों को बहुत_बहुत धन्यवाद |
    *
    "देश के वर्तमान" के बारे में अपने बच्चों को वास्तविक सच्च बतलाना हम सबका कर्तव्य है और कर्तव्य पालन ही धर्म है |
    *
    केजरीवाल का ऋण सरकार को बहुत बड़ा अपराध नजर आ रहा है ! सरकारी तंत्र द्वारा अरबों रुपयों का भ्रष्टाचार दिखाई नहीं देता____सरकार द्वारा अरबों रुपया ऋण माफ़ कर दिया ""ऋण ना चुकाने के दोषियों"" को!
    *
    सरकार को देखना ही है तो यह देखे :-
    आयकर विभाग_बतलाये__राजनेताओं के द्वारा उज्जागर की गई सम्पति से ""आयकर"" कितना प्राप्त हुआ ?
    *
    सरकार कितनी गंभीर है !__जबाब दे :-क्या__भारत में अन्ना जी सुरक्षित है ?
    *
    सकारात्मक व्यक्तियों के लिए :-
    सकारात्मक चिंतन सभी के लिए अच्छा होता है | सकारात्मक चिंतन संदेह, सक-शंकाये दूर हो जाती है और अधिकतम लोग सकारात्मक स्वीकार कर आगे बढ़ते है |
    *
    नकारात्मक व्यक्तियों के लिए :-
    किसी भी विषय पर किसी व्यक्ति के लिए नकारात्मक द्रष्टिकोण से की गई समीक्षा आगे चलकर स्वयं को ही पछताने के लिए विवश करती है |
    *
    गुंडागर्दी के चलते :-
    अन्ना रहे__ना रहे__यह ज्योति जलती रहनी चाहिए |
    (यह कहने वाला साधारण पर अनूठा त्यागी व्यक्ति है |)
    *
    कृपया इस देश में लेख हिंदी में लिखें तो ज्यादा लाभ होगा |
    हिंदी जानते है :- ७० प्रतिशत लोग
    अंग्रेजी जानते है :- ३० प्रतिशत लोग

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  44. प्रिया जी आपने जो​ लिखा है सच आंखे खोल देने वाला है। ऐसी सूचना हमारे तक पहुंचती ही नहीं है। क्यों? क्या मीडिया को यह पता नहीं है। क्यों मीडिया ऐसी बातों को लोगों के सामने नहीं लाता। ये सरकार क्या वाकई इस देश को गर्त में ले जा रही है। अब तो माथा खराब हो रहा है भ्रष्टाचार सून—सून कर। आखिर कैसे उबरेंगे हम?

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  45. priya ji rule is rule for everyone whether he is a man from any group Ngo orpolitician or govt. servant. indians are like sheeps going one direction without knowing details of crowd run.in my view i.t.deptt.should do as per rules not asper govt. or anna team.

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  46. Excellent madam. I believe every nation and society survives the onslaught of autocracy, corruption and nepotism due to the honesty and sincerety of few people in the society. I really admire your courage in bringing out the facts and for enlightening the people.

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  47. Voices for and against Arvind Kejriwal... but is it important here? The issue at hand is the voice against corruption. Kejriwal will present his case, and I think, if law can allow Kasab a chance to defend himself, Kejriwal can at least be given this chance. The political class wants to create a ruckus confusing people with personalities and not the issue at hand. We all must stay alert.. they are old hats at that.

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  48. Priya!! well done. It is great . A nice piece of information. Are you still in service? Then I really appreciate you . Becoz I have seen many burocrats speak up only after they retire from service. So if you have done so, when still in service kudos for you.
    Then , priya!!! the government fuctioning is so. That is why we say " Haathi nikal jaata hai , poonch phass jaaata hai !!!! Now it is kejriwal's arrears which have become more than the elephants which IT department is so nicely tolerating !!!! keep it up Priys .
    RADHAKRISHNAN , BARODA

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  49. Excellent post, Happy blogging ..Hope youth will take over one day to make India corruption free from selfish oldies (most of the political leaders in India..) Jai Hind and Thank you.

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  50. excellent post - crisp, brief and to the point.

    regards
    kk

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  51. Its very Inspiring for every Indian. Every one should participate against for Corruption free India movement.

    Jai Hind....

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  52. I would request every Indians should stand with
    anti coruption movement also bring in to notice along with valid documents like Priyaji has done commendable jobs. Thanks to Priyaji. I salute You.

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  53. this is really a greate blog. i want people to read this and feel the level of bad mentality in india. i am sharing this with my facebook.

    thanks for this post to public.

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  54. Respected Maam,

    With due respect to you for your fight against corruption I would like to ask one question..

    You want to go out of India with your children next week and u suddenly realise that your son doesnt has a passport. You go to passport authorities and they tell you min 3 months! Nw you force him and if he tells Rs 5000 and passport in 3 days. What do you do?

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  55. priya ji we respect ur words because we r ready to give our bone and blood to arvind ji

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  56. Bull's eye! I am glad I read this post. Good job, Priya.

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