INCOME TAX TO KEEP CLOSE TAB ON USE OF BLACK MONEY IN ELECTIONS, IF ANY
• SETS UP CONTROL ROOM WITH TOLL FREE HELPLINE NUMBER FOR INFORMATION & COMPLAINTS RELATING TO SUSPECTED CASH OR OTHER VALUABLES
• 80 OFFICERS & INSPECTORS DEPUTED FOR SURVEILLANCE IN CLOSE COORDINATION WITH ADMINISTRATION IN ALL DISTRICTS
• IDENTITIES OF CALLERS TO BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL
JALANDHAR, 25 JANUARY 2022 : Under the mandate of the Election Commission of India, the Directorate of Investigation of the Income Tax Department has made elaborate arrangements for curbing the use of black money in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha polls-2022. The department has also set a control room with toll-free number 1800-345-1545, where information/complaints can be registered.
Giving information in this regard, an official spokesperson of the IT department said that the control room established by the department was function round the clock. He said that the people could call on the toll free helpline number to furnish specific information relating to cash or other valuable suspected to be used for unduly influencing the election process.
The spokesperson further pointed out that the identities of the callers would be kept confidential. He said that the teams of officers and inspectors had also been deputed in each district in order to take prompt actions on the complaints in their respective districts. He said that based on the authenticity of information and after due enquiry, appropriate action for seizing the cash etc. would be initiated as per law. The department has already deputed 80 officers and inspectors for this purpose, who will act in close coordination with the District Control Room of the District Election Officer as well as the other agencies. He further stated that a close surveillance was also being maintained over persons, places and activities likely to be involved in handling of unaccounted cash during the election process.
The spokesperson also mentioned that air intelligence units (AIUs) had also made functional at all airports in the state as well as airports having commercial flights to the state, which were keeping the strict vigil over movement of cash by air. Similarly, movement of cash etc. through railways is also being monitored in coordination with the railway authorities. He further stated that information relating to cash withdrawals from bank accounts, exceeding a certain limit, is being received and processed for identifying suspect transactions and taking appropriate action.
Pertinently, the Directorate shall also examine the affidavits of the candidates declaring their assets and liabilities and, if any suppression of information relating to thereto is noticed, the same with reported to the Election Commission. Similarly, if any incriminating information relating to election expenses by candidates is gathers, the same will also be reported to the Election Commission.
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