24X7 Toll Free No 1800-1800-690 activated to receive complaints
Chandigarh, March 13, 2014: The Election Commission of India has issued series of instructions to expenditure observers deployed to check the excess expenditure to ensure free and fair elections for 16th Lok Sabha. They have been asked to open units in each district together intelligence regarding use and movement of black money in the state and take prompt action as per Income Tax law. Accordingly income tax department has operationalised a 24X7 helpline 1800-1800-690 to encourage general public to provide information relating to movement of cash and valuables during the election period.
According to an official spokesman of Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab all airports in the state, major railway stations, hotels, farm houses, hawala agents, financial brokers, cash couriers, pawn brokers and other suspicious agencies/persons likely to be used for movement of undisclosed cash would be kept under close surveillance by the income tax department.
The spokesman said that on receiving a complaint, the Income Tax investigation directorate would conduct independent enquiry against any person and the DEO would provide security to enable them to take such action. The spokesman said that as per directions the teams of investigation directorate would station themselves at sensitive stations in the districts to gather intelligence independently on black money and take actions as per IT Act. Air Intelligence Units would be stationed at all airports to keep a check on movement of cash through aircrafts including private aircrafts. If cash exceeding Rs. 10 lakh is reported, the income tax department would take necessary action under IT Act. If seizure of cash was not possible it would be informed to concerned CEO to take action under IPC if cash was suspected to be used for bribing.
If information regarding withdrawal of cash exceeding Rs. 10 lakh was received from the bank the DEO would ask the Income Tax department to take necessary action.
The Election Commission of India has sought the cooperation of general public to check the use of money in the election process.