• Notification Date: 30-11-2022
• Notification No: N/A

IT vs GST raids in bypoll-bound Padampur

The BJP and BJD engaged themselves in a severe battle in the by-poll to Padampur Assembly Constituency. The State government has reportedly unleashed GST officials to conduct raids on some business establishments in the towns of Paikmal and Jharbandha including Padampur. This was an act of revenge raid to the Income Tax raids at three places in Padampur on Monday morning. 

BJP leader Pinki Pradhan was raided by the GST officials while being at a garment shop in Padampur. While speaking to the media, she expressed her displeasure. She was at the shop to buy blanket for winter. But instead, she was shocked to be raided by the officers. According to her statement, 2 platoons of police force arrived at the shop to raid accompanying the GST officials exactly like Jammu and Kashmir during Army raid on terrorist hideouts. 

“I want the law to take its own course. If there is any misappropriation of finances at all, then the raids are welcome. But it is directed as a tool to avenge the IT raids in the morning, then I condemn it,” she said. 

Income Tax department officials carried out multiple raids at the residences of three senior BJD workers in poll-bound Padampur in Bargarh district on Monday. The BJD workers whose residences have been raided were Md Sajid of Bahidarpada, Manabhanjan Sahu of Sahupada and Gaju Agrawal of Badapada areas in Padampur. The raids began early in the morning in presence of armed CRPF jawans. 

The reason behind these raids is yet to be disclosed. The by-poll is scheduled to be held on December 5. In the bypoll, all the persons under the Income Tax scanner are senior BJD workers and supporters. Hence, the riads hold much significance.