Telangana government orders inquiry on gaffe over VAT order
A showcause notice was slapped to section officer for the blunder
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-03-25 09:33 GMT
Hyderabad: The Telangana government has taken serious note of a gaffe in a Government Order stating increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel. Mohd Naseer, section officer in the revenue department dealing with taxation was slapped a showcause notice and kept under suspension pending inquiry while another woman official on contract was kept away from duties on disciplinary grounds.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao was reportedly furious about the goof up and asked principal secretary, revenue B.R. Meena to take stern action against those who had committed the blunder in uploading a government order along with unapproved content and embarrassing the government big time.
The government decided to take disciplinary action under rule 20 of the Andhra Pradesh Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1991.Mr Naseer was directed to submit a written reply to the notice within 10 days after receiving the notice and face an inquiry. If he doesn’t submit his written statement of defence on or before the date specified, further action will be processed based on the material available. “Mohd. Naseer has neglected his duties in uploading the G.O.Ms.No.31, Rev (CT-II) Department, dt. 23-3-2015 where a paper which is not approved by the government has been uploaded and thereby embarrassing the Government,” the notice said.
Stating that he violated Rule 3 of APCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and liable for initiation of disciplinary action as per rules, he said due to wrong uploading of the content some newspapers carried reports that Telangana Government has again increased 5 per cent VAT rates on Petrol and Diesel which was not done. In fact, a notification which is not approved and authorized by the Government has been uploaded wrongly in website in G.O.Ms.No.31, Revenue (CT.II) Department, dt. 23-3-2015, A B R Meena said.