A shocking report says that Veena Vijayan, daughter of Pinarayi Vijayan, CPM supremo and Kerala Chief Minister, got the monthly payment for three years, 2017 – 20, for some services which she was supposed to provide; but no service was rendered. According to Income Tax Interim Settlement Board, functioning under Section 245AA of the Income Tax Act, the payment got was Rs 1.72 cr. The New Delhi Branch of the Board has reportedly stated that these payments were made, thanks to their close association with a high profile VIP. The controversy started back in January 25, 2019. Those days, IT was reported to have conducted a detailed and comprehensive investigation in the offices ad residences of ‘important’ persons including that of Veena Vijayan; then enquiry moved to Cochin Minerals & Rutile Limited (CMRL), a private company Veena entered into agreements with.
The investigation brought to light concrete evidence of improper payment of substantial amounts of monies to media houses, trade union leaders and political VIPs. Also a document which talks about agreements between Veena Vijayan and her IT firm Exalogic Solutions was discovered during the scrutiny of the residence of K.S. Sureshkumar, the Chief Financial Officer of CMRL.
Reports suggest that the investigation team scrutinised the records of tax payment from 2013 – 2014 to 2019 – 2020. It exposed a pattern of exaggerated expense and major tax evasion on the part of CMRL. As a result, IT took actions against CMRL and its key officials including S.N. Sasidharan Kartha, its MD.
The Income Tax Interim Settlement Board (ITISB), formed under Section 245AA of the IT Act, has concluded its operations including investigations and deliberations. It is reported that the decisions of the Board is final and no chance for appeals. ITISB’s role is to evaluate the settlement applications from Individuals on alleged tax evasion.
Reports suggest that Veena and her firm Exalogic Solutions had reached agreement with CMRL in 2016 and 2017, respectively to render services on IT, marketing consultancy and software services. And, further investigations revealed that these services were allegedly never fulfilled. Despite CMRL MD’s initial claim of compliance with the contractual terms, his statement was challenged by the IT Department.
It is alleged that according to the IT’s findings, a significant sum of Rs 1.72 cr was transferred to Veena and Exalogic Solutions between 2017 and 2020. The ITISB’s Bench concludes that these funds were disbursed for services which were not actually provided at all.
CMRL officials have reportedly submitted that they are not aware of getting any services from Veena and Exalogic. CMRL’s Chief Financial Officer K.S. Sureshkumar and Chief General Manager P. Sureshkumar are among those officials.
Union Minister V. Muraleedharan asked CM Vijayan if he is ready for any impartial enquiry. If he is not guilty, why should he worry about an enquiry, minister wondered. BJP state president K. Surendran said, the latest revelation is shocking.
This is the latest controversy enveloping Veena. Since the last couple of years several allegations have been coming up against Veena Vijayan’s business in Bangalore and her alleged ‘undesirable’ business links.
BJP and Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) demand the resignation of the chief minister. But, in contrary to the expectations, UDF does not appear to be taking an aggressive posture against the CM as there are allegations that it is because some prominent leaders are in the list.
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