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Soon after the news of income tax officials raiding Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Rama Mohana Rao’s residence broke, politicians, including DMK Treasurer MK Stalin and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, hit out at the state government.
Stalin slammed the Tamil Nadu government, called the raids “a disgrace to the state”.
The raids at the Chief Secretary’s house is without precedence. This has never happened in the history of Tamil Nadu before.Stalin
Besides Rao’s residence in Chennai, multiple properties belonging to his son and other associates in Bengaluru and Chitoor were raided on Wednesday.
Calling for strict action against the ruling AIADMK and ministers involved in corruption, Stalin said they should not be allowed to escape.
The DMK leader said it was a fact that many ministers are in touch with sand mining baron Shekhar Reddy, where I-T officials earlier seized Rs 130 crore in cash, with Rs 34 crore in new currencies, and 130 kg of gold.
Stalin also pointed to I-T raids in September on former Electricity Minister Natham Vishwanathan and then Chennai Mayor Saidai Duraisamy’s son. On 12 September, I-T officials carried out raids on Vishwanathan’s properties in Dindigul as well as on those belonging to his daughter in Chennai.
From this we know ministers are in touch with business people.Stalin
‘Why Don’t They Raid Amit Shah?’: Mamata Banerjee
Mamata, on the other hand, said that while corruption needs to be condemned strongly, the raid on Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary by central agencies devalues the institution.
She also hit out at the Centre, saying:
Why don’t they raid Amit Shah and others who are collecting money?Mamata Banerjee
Why this vindictive, unethical, technically improper action? Is it only to disturb the federal structure?Mamata Banerjee
Rama Mohana Rao is a 1985 batch officer and was additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister before he was made CS in June 2016. The 58-year-old holds full additional charge of Vigilance Commissioner and Commissioner for Administrative reforms.
(With inputs from The News Minute)
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