GST Officials Suspended for Extortion Allegations of Rs.7 Lakh

In a crackdown on corruption within the Central Goods and Services Tax (GST) department, two officials have been suspended for allegedly extorting Rs.7 lakh from traders in Chhattisgarh using GST irregularities.

The accused officers, Superintendent Pallav Parganiya and Ashish Pathak, were disciplined when state Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary intervened and requested an investigation.

The case came to light after local traders complained about the two officials’ forced money collection practices. After receiving the complaints, Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary elevated the issue to GST headquarters in Delhi, requesting prompt action. Following an internal investigation, the claims were proven true, resulting in their immediate suspension.

This development has prompted the Central GST department to strengthen its scrutiny of officials posted in Chhattisgarh. According to reports, similar complaints had previously been aired but were not taken seriously until the Finance Minister intervened. Authorities are now actively monitoring GST personnel to prevent further inappropriate conduct.

The prompt action taken against the suspended officers sends a strong message against tax corruption, reinforcing the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the GST system.