‘Veena Service Tax’: Rajeev Chandrasekhar Alleges Kerala CM Daughter’s Firm Receiving ‘Extortion-Like’ Money

Union minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar alleged that various companies deposited “extortion-like money” to the Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter, Veena Vijayan's firm.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter Veena Vijayan's firm has allegedly received "illegal money"

Union minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar on Wednesday targeted the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front over an allegation on CM’s daughter Veena Vijayan’s firm receiving Rupees 1.72 crore from a private company in exchange for no services. Calling it “Veena Service Tax”, Chandrashekhar questioned the INDIA alliance as to why the money was submitted to her company by the private company which has nothing to do with software and technology. 

“Today when we are celebrating the anniversary of the Quit India movement, this revelation came about the firm of leftist and communist Kerala CM’s daughter receiving money from various companies as if a new tax has come up that is Veena Service Tax,” he said. 

He claimed that various companies are depositing “extortion-like money” to the firm and when asked by the Income Tax department, “they said we just gave it even” though they had no business.

#WATCH | Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar speaks on allegations against Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter Veena Vijayan and her firm of receiving monthly payments worth crores. pic.twitter.com/dsRW0ZFufP

— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2023

Terming it “dynastic corruption”, the Union minister said, “During UPA government from 2004-09, Left played an important role and it was during that time big scams like 2G and Coalgate happened.” 

“The Left and Congress that have made this INDIA alliance should tell specifically why companies like Cochin mineral which have nothing to do with software and technology… how and why they are depositing money,” he said. 

It has been alleged that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s daughter Veena Vijayan has received Rupees 1.72 crore from a private company Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) in monthly installments in the last three years, according to a report by OnManorama. 

As per the report, Veena and her firm Exalogic Solutions entered into an agreement with CMRL to provide IT, marketing consultancy, and software services to the latter. However, an investigation by the I-T department found that no service was provided in return for the money, the report stated. 

The Income Tax department has argued that the Rupees 1,72 crore received by Veena and Exalogi between 2017 and 2020 is an “illegal transaction”.