I-T report to tainted IAS couple's rescue?

BHOPAL: Is the voluminous 7,000-page income tax report on raids at tainted IAS officer couple, Arvind and Tinu Joshi, a hindrance for the Madhya Pradesh government to recommend dismissal of the couple?

The couple allegedly own assets worth Rs 360 crore, which includes 25 flats and 400 acres of agricultural and non-agricultural land and investment in stocks.

Even though the opposition Congress has demanded immediate dismissal of the suspended IAS couple, the state government has cited the huge income-tax appraisal report as the reason for the delay in action. Chief secretary Avani Vaish told reporters that the facts were being verified. ''Further action against the couple who were suspended in February 2010 will be taken after verification is complete,'' he said.

On Thursday, Lokayukta P V Naolekar said an FIR was registered against the IAS couple last month. ''We conducted our department raids at their premises last month after which the FIR was lodged,'' he said.

He said the 7,000-page report on the raids at Joshi's official residence in February 2010 may have been handed over to the department only two days ago, but the FIR was registered a month ago. ''We have forwarded a copy of the income-tax report to the police,'' said Naolekar.

According to the Lokayukta, the department sleuths will physically verify the existence and ownership of all 25 flats and 400 acres of agricultural and non-agricultural land.

On Thursday, the Enforcement Directorate ( ED) served notices on the Joshis for violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) 1999. Notices have also been issued to two of Arvind Joshi's NRI sisters, Vibha and Abha, for having purchased 100 acres of agricultural land in MP in violation of FEMA.

ED sources said the notices have clarified the land purchased under the names of Vibha and Abha can be confiscated if the couple fails to provide valid information. The RBI prohibits the purchase of agricultural land and plantation property by NRIs.