Income Tax department has beefed up its surveillance on black money movement in the midst of poll campaigning in the city. An officer of the rank of Additional Commmissioner of Income Tax will head the surveillance operation for every constituency in the city, with the assistance of Income Tax and state government officers spread out in various parts of the city.

 

Director General of Income Tax (Investigation) Suresh Jandhyal disclosed that the Income Tax authorities with the state government authorities will be maintaining round-the-clock watch on movement of unaccounted money in the city, to prevent misuse of funds during poll campaign and evading tax.

 

IT department for the first time has launched a fool-proof surveillance operation on black tainted money being laundered during campaigning and misuse and cover up of poll campaign expenditure incurrence by candidates.    

 

Jandhyal revealed that Quick Response Teams are fanned out in different parts of the city and will be operated through the central control room. Mobile surveillance vehicle with the assistance of the state government authorities will be making their rounds in the respective constituencies.

 

Flying squads will also be on the lookout for suspicious movement of vehicles and persons in the city while teams will be stationed at static points located strategically to close in on persons handling tainted funds during campaigning.Special teams will be stationed at entry points in the city, toll nakas and even railway stations including Mumbai Central and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, to check on black money and bullion being illegally brought into the city on the eve of polling. Even city police and Customs will be maintaining vigil along with IT department.

 

“We have stepped up vigilance and created a fool-proof surveillance system to prevent, flow of tainted funds in the city which will be misused during campaign and evasion of tax running into crores. People will need to have their documents in order and in physical possession when transporting funds to the tune of Rs 10 lakh and above. Possession of bullion weighing a kilo and above will come under IT scanner and appropriate action if traced by a specialized teams maintaining vigilance till the election code of conduct ceases. This initiative launched by IT will put a check on unaccounted funds and bullion flow into the city during campaigning.”