'Cannot breach privacy of individuals'; GST department gives strange response to RTI query

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The GST department did not respond to the enquiry into whether Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter T Veena's company paid IGST. The GST department shied away from an RTI query on whether IGST was paid on the amount received for services rendered to CMRL by Veena's firm, Exalogic. Exalogic purchased services worth Rs 1.72 crore.

The GST department replied to the question that it is not possible to answer out of respect for the privacy of individuals. According to Section 8(1) (e) of the RTI Act, the GST department cannot transfer information that respects the privacy of individuals. It was found that Veena received Rs 1.72 crore from CMRL in the last three years.

Veena and Exalogic had signed an agreement with CMRL to provide IT, marketing consultancy and software services. CMRL Managing Director SN Sasidharan Kartha testified to the Income Tax Department that as per the contract, monthly payments were made but Veena's company did not provide any services.

Meanwhile, Mathew Kuzhalnadan MLA responded that the GST department's response was very strange. Mathew Kuzhalnadan said that when he first raised questions regarding the GST transaction, AK Balan claimed that he would produce the documents the very next day, but he did not. Mathew Kuzhalnadan had earlier demanded an inquiry against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter in the monthly payment controversy. A case was filed against both of them and a complaint was filed with the Director of Vigilance demanding an investigation.