CM to decide future of six ETOs attached with headquarters

Ludhiana: A week after the state taxation department withdrew the power of six excise and taxation officials (ETO) over allegations of extortion, a preliminary inquiry report has now been sent to Chief Minister Captain Amrinder Singh_ as he holds the taxation portfolio. The officials have now been attached with the Patiala head office.

Confirming to TOI about the development financial commissioner taxation, MP Singh said, “We have sent the first inquiry report to the chief minister for his consideration.’’

Earlier in an order, dated February 13, the excise and taxation commissioner (ETC) Punjab, Vivek Pratap Singh had withdrawn the powers of six ETOs including Shalinder Singh of range-2 Ludhiana, Anish Sharma, Ved Prakash Jakhar and Mukti Gupta of range-1 Ludhiana, Tanul Goyal of range-3 Ludhiana and Neetu Bawa of Fatehgarh Sahib.

As per the orders of ETC, all the investigations and all the routine work which was under process in the offices of these officials was allocated to other officials and they were asked to report to the department’s headquarters and attached there until further notice.