Adhia's pricey gift in govt hold: Piyush Goyal

Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday informed the Rajya Sabha that Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia was gifted gold biscuits for Diwali 2016 but he deposited it in the government 'Toshakhana' (treasure house).

In a reply to a written question, Goyal said no inquiry was initiated against Adhia as he did not accept the gift item.

Goyal said, Adhia, who was revenue secretary then, informed the Cabinet secretary about the pricey gift and requested him to deposit it in the 'Toshakhana'.

He said since Adhia stayed alone at his residence along with a domestic help at that time, the gift was received by the help in his absence.

“The gift items were deposited in Toshakhana and an acknowledgement was issued by Ministry of External Affairs on 07.11.2016 for receipt of the gift items. The details of the gift items are available on MEA's website,” Goyal said.