Enforcement Directorate arrested Chhattisgarh IAS officer, Sameer Vishnoi, over the scam of an illegal levy on coal transportation in the state. ED claims that the scam was generating Rs 2-3 crore per day through extortion.
Apart from the controversy, an IAS officer holds the key of projects and decisions running in a sum total of crores of rupees, as much as ₹2-3 crores per day. The scale of financial and administrative power is hilariously gigantic as people share this news on X taking a cheeky dig.
This too is one of the prime motivators for UPSC aspirants. There’s another reason why IAS remains the most prized profession in India: the ability to take effective decisions and manage resources at this scale. So, with all that being said, here’s one more reason to be committed and keep grinding for those preparing for UPSC!
Two others, Laxmikant Tiwari and Sunil Kumar Agarwal of the Indramani Group, have also been caught in the case. Raigadh Collector Ranu Sahu and scam mastermind Suryakant Tiwari are absconding as reported. Sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) have been invoked in the case.
Who Else Was Involved in Rs 2-3 Crore Daily Money Laundering Case?
Laxmikant Tiwari admitted to dealing with Rs 2-3 crore daily money laundering case every day. Sunil Kumar Agarwal is a well-known business person into coal trading and has shares in Suryakant Tiwari. During searches, ED confiscated:
“During the course of search and investigation, cash of Rs 1.5 crore, which was found with Laxmikant Tiwari was seized. He has admitted that he handled [Rs] 1-2 crore of the extorted money on daily basis. Sunil Kumar Agrawal of Indramani Group, a big coal businessman was found to be involved in this racket and…a business partner of Suryakant Tiwari. Sameer Vishnoi and his wife were found to be in possession of Rs 47 lakh of unaccounted cash and gold jewellery (4kg).”
The illegal levy that had been extorted would be Rs 25 per tonne of coal transported. The extorted amounts would be sourced to have been used in settling benami assets and providing bribe to officials. It was alleged that politicians in Chhattisgarh were reaping benefits from the illegal money.
After the income tax department lodged an FIR, the ED started probing the case. In its searches, the ED recovered a whopping Rs 4.5 crore in unaccounted cash and jewellery made of gold, bullion, and other items worth Rs 2 crore.
ED Feels There is a Need for Change After Chhattisgarh IAS Officer Was Arrested
Acceptance of the illegal coal levy was gained after a July 2020 notification. The notification by the Director of Geology and Mining Department had transformed the e-permit system for the transportation of coal from an automated process to a manual NOC process. No SOP had been issued for the new manual process. The ED feels that change in the above process assisted the extortion racket.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel criticised the move by ED. He argued that the central government misuses its probe agencies for political purposes. The CM questioned why the ED had not released its findings publicly.
In the case of the illegal coal levy scam, it cuts across both government and business leaders. It’s said that there is confirmation that the seniors were paid money not to investigate the scam. From reports, money for this illegal levy was forwarded to political executives in the state. ED is investigating how extorted money channeled into various investments.
Also, see: Bengaluru police arrest Axis Bank manager in Rs 97 crore stock market fraud