New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal has decided to pay over Rs 9 lakh dues to the government so that his resignation from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) is accepted, a move seen as an attempt by Team Anna members to blunt attacks from detractors.
"I have decided to pay back the dues. I will take loans from some friends," Kejriwal, who is in Ralegan Siddhi, said.
The Income Tax department has set October 27 as a deadline for Kejriwal to pay the dues but he had failed to comply with it, saying he needed more time to consult his friends to take a final decision on the matter.
Kejriwal had taken study leave on full pay for two years from November 01, 2000 and rejoined in 2002 after signing a bond that he would return the salary if he resigns or retires or fails to resume duty within three years of his study leave.
The Office of the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCIT) had on August five issued a notice to Kejriwal asking him to pay Rs 9.27 lakh claiming that he had violated bond clauses under which he went on a study leave for two years. The social activist was asked him to deposit the money.
When the Delhi CCIT had written to him in 2007 and 2008 for clearance of his dues, Kejriwal had responded that they may be waived.
I-T officials had said that they can initiate property attachment proceedings under service rules and subsequently, initiate criminal case against a person who defaults on dues.
Kejriwal and other Hazare team members had attacked the issuance of notice, terming it as an action of the government's "dirty tricks department" under instructions from
political bosses.
The activist has claimed that he did not "violate" any bond provisions and he had resigned from the job after the stipulated three years of rejoining duty following his study leave.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, October 30, 2011, 10:33