IRS officer calls for dismissal of Finance Minister after ED summons to farmers

Chennai: An IRS officer, Balamurugan, has written a letter to the President of India, urging the dismissal of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman following ED summons issued to two poor farmers. 

In the letter, Balamurugan alleges that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has become an extension of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and criticizes the summons issued to farmers involved in a land dispute with a local BJP functionary.

The farmers, Kannaiyan and Krishnan, both elderly and illiterate, received ED summons related to a land dispute in Attur, Tamil Nadu, involving a local BJP leader. Balamurugan highlights the farmers' dire financial situation, lack of agricultural activities due to land issues, and their dependence on government support for livelihood.

The summons, dated June 26, 2023, mentions an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, and instructs the farmers to appear before the ED on July 5, 2023. When the farmers appeared before the ED, they asserted their innocence, disclosing a meager bank balance of Rs 500.

Balamurugan, speaking exclusively to Republic TV, expressed concern about the alleged collapse of the ED's integrity under the leadership of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The IRS officer Balamurugan, stated that, “These days everything has changed. The ED officers are usually selected from our offices only. There used to be a proper selection process and only very honest and genuine officers were selected to work for the Enforcement Directorate in order to ensure that the investigations are conducted properly and honestly. But nowadays everything has collapsed. We recently saw the arrest of an ED officer, Ankit Tiwari, who was involved in bribery for his individual gain. This current state of affairs is saddening. I am urging for the removal of the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Seetharaman because this is all happening under her administration. She is an honest person, I am not complaining about her but under her leadership the ED has collapsed, and this is unfair for the people of our country”. 

He also added that, “I understand that I am a serving employee of the Central Government, and I might have to face repercussions for the letter, but I want to stand up for my people and the poor and helpless farmers who are struggling to fight with the ED. If there is no action nor response from the Centre regarding my letter, I will not let this go. I will take up the fight by going to the people’s court and will appeal to the public to voice out and help the poor people who are suffering because of some corrupt officers in the ED”, stated Balamurugan. 

The IRS officer acknowledged potential repercussions for his letter but asserted his dedication to advocating for the suffering farmers and holding corrupt officers accountable.