Notice to Punjab Minister in 12-year-old matter

Chandigarh, Jan 30 (UNI) The division bench of Justices Surinder Singh Nijjar and Surinder Singh Saron of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice for February 26 to Punjab Excise and Taxation Minister Sardool Singh on an application filed by M P Goswami, a former Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner alleging malafide in issuing him a charge sheet in a 12 years old matter in violation of service rules.

It has been submitted by the petitioner who is now an advocate at the High Court here, that charge sheet was given to him on February 11, 2004, the day he had filed a PIL against the hand-picking of some favoured few under the sports quota for appointment directly as DSP in Punjab Police. The PIL had led to quashing of the appointments by the High Court.

Mr Goswami, who retired from service on March 31, 2003 had on August 3, 2003 filed a writ petition against the appointment of Tejinder Pal Singh, the son of Minister Sardool Singh, as an Inspector in Punjab Police on compassionate grounds of militancy victim. It was pointed out by the petitioner that he had been issued a certificate by the state government on retirement that no inquiry, no disciplinary proceedings or for that matter any departmental inquiry was pending against him. This was given to the Accountant General, Punjab for release of his retrial dues.

Mr Goswami further submitted that he was issued charge sheet for keeping pending and not rejecting in 1992 an application of Anant Fertilizers for grant of exemption from sales tax under the state policy.

He has been charged with causing loss of Lakhs of rupees to the state exchequer whereas it was state policy to exempt units. Due to difference of opinion between the industries and the excise and taxation department for grant of exemption, the matter had been referred to a committee headed by the chief secretary, and in such circumstances how could he reject or accept the unit's application, which would have amounted to violating the committee which was looking into the matter.

The petitioner also placed on record a list of 35 industrial units which had been granted sales tax exemption.

UNI