IT Department to keep watch over use of black money during Lok Sabha elections
Bhopal: To ensure free and fair Lok Sabha elections, Income Tax Department is maintaining a watch on airports, railway stations, hotels, farmhouses, hawala agents and middlemen. On the directives of Election Commission of India, the Income Tax Department has started this action soon after announcement of Lok Sabha elections. The department is also keeping a keen eye on carriers of undisclosed income.
On the commission’s directives, the Income Tax Department has set up a 24X7 control room and monitoring cell at the state capital. Its toll-free number is 18002337600. Complaints and information regarding carrying of large amounts for bribing voters will be received on this number. Directorate of Income Tax (Investigation) will investigate against concerning person and district election officers will provide to him necessary security force to carry out operations. Results of the investigation will be sent to the commission with a copy marked to CEO. Soon after announcement of Lok Sabha elections, the Income Tax Department has opened Air Intelligence Units in all airports of poll bound states and airports having commercial flights to poll bound states and is maintaining strict vigil over the movement of cash through aircrafts. If any cash exceeding Rs. 10 lakh is reported to the department, its officers will take necessary action under Income Tax laws. If it is found that the amount is being carried to bribe voters then the CEO will act in the case under the provisions of Indian Penal Code.
If information of cash withdrawal in excess of Rs. 10 lakh is reported from the bank from the account of any person to the DEO, the same will be forwarded to the nodal officer of Income Tax Investigation Directorate in-charge of the district who will take prompt action under the Income Tax laws.
If any information pertaining to election expenses by any candidate or political party is gathered by the Investigation Directorate either during the election campaign or in the course of investigation of any person including the candidates, it will be reported to the commission.
As per section 29 C of Representation of People Act, 1951, the political parties will not get exemption, if they do not submit contribution reports to the commission before due date of filing Income Tax Return. The Income Tax Department will also send reports about parties enjoying tax exemptions with filing Form-29 C within 2 weeks after announcement of elections.
It is noteworthy that instances have been reported to the commission and in media that large sums of undisclosed cash and other articles are distributed and innovative methods are adopted to camouflage ostentatious election expenditure by the candidates during election process. Such expenses for gratification of the voters are mostly out of undisclosed income. According to the commission, use of black money is a major issue in the forthcoming elections. The commission has deployed Director of Income Tax (Investigation) and states’ Directorate of Income Tax (Investigation) to keep a watch over efforts to camouflage excessive election expenses. The commission has directed to make necessary arrangements for this by opening units in each district for the notification of elections and take prompt action as per Income Tax laws.
