The Kerala government chief has come forth with serious allegations of Double Claims (double taxation) and alleged procedural lapses in connection with the recently cancelled visit of the Argentina national football team led by Lionel Messi to Kerala.
This was a friendly match that was intended during the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government’s tenure, but did not really happen.
Preliminary Inquiry Report Under Examination
A preliminary inquiry report by the state’s Sports Department is being looked into and a detailed investigation could be conducted, Satheesan said. The Chief Minister asked about the selection process of a private firm for sponsoring the event planned.
He enquired whether an Expression of Interest (EoI) had been called and whether the firm’s financial strength and funding sources had been considered before it was chosen.
GST Fraud Allegations
The case of fraud in the name of GST apparently presents a prima facie case, said Satheesan who also has the portfolio of Finance. He said their department feasibility report will recommend for the action taken by the Finance Department and will try to find out the loss incurred to the state in the collection of taxes under the GST Act.
It was observed that a notice had been given to the private sponsor earlier but the inquiry seemed to have hung fire, the Chief Minister said.
Money Laundering Probe Not Ruled Out
Asked if the central agencies could be mobilised to investigate the possible money laundering, Satheesan said that the state government will look into it. If the investigation shows there is a need, he said, for a central agency probe could then be turned over to proper authorities.
The Chief Minister in reply denied the allegations from a senior official of the private firm stating that he hadn’t taken any steps on the basis of the inquiry report.
The planning of the Messi Friendly
Then Kerala Minister for Sports V Abdurahiman had announced that the Argentine national team with Messi captaining it, will come to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi for a friendly exhibition game to be organised by the state government in 2023 with the participation of private firm RBC.
The event was advertised as a one which would not be a burden on the treasury of the state.
The former minister also went to Spain, and is said to have held talks with officials of the Argentine Football Association (AFA). Later, he stated the AFA had agreed that the Argentine team, which included Messi, would travel to Kerala.
But the hoped-for trip eventually was called off, and the financial and administrative treatment of that proposed visit to Argentina has come into question in the new charges.