Anna aide Arvind Kejriwal still a government servant?

IS Arvind Kejriwal, a key aide of anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare, still a government servant? According to government records, Kejriwal’s resignation submitted in 2006, was not accepted as yet, thereby making him a government servant in all technical terms.

The issue cropped up when Income Tax department asked him to pay over Rs 9 lakh as dues a week before Hazare was to begin his fast, at least two media reports said. According to official records, Kejriwal has not joined back after he went on a study leave. Kejriwal joined Indian Revenue Service officer after a short stint in Tata Group.

I-T department demanded Kejriwal to return two years’ salary amounting to Rs 3.50 lakh and interest accumulated so far of Rs 4.16 lakh apart from Rs 1 lakh for a computer loan with interests, according to a Times of India report. Kejriwal defended his position saying that he had not violated any conditions in government bond.

He joined the service after he went on study leave. Finally, he resigned in 2006. In earlier communication, Kejriwal had also asked the department to deduct his dues towards the computer loans from his General Provident Fund, according to reports.

Kejriwal’s wife Sunita is also an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer working with the same I-T department which has slapped the notice on Kejriwal.

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