IT dept to monitor cash flow during TN assembly polls

Chennai, Feb 25 (PTI) The Income Tax (Investigation)Department would strictly monitor all the districts of TamilNadu and Puducherry for illegal transaction of funds to ensurea "free and fair" conduct of assembly polls in the state andthe Union Territory, a top official said today.

Director General of Income Tax (Investigation), P KSarangi, said 70 teams comprising personnel from Income Taxalong with local police would maintain vigil in the districts.

Sarangi was talking to reporters after discussions withofficials of the State Election Commission and senior policeofficers.

A control room that would function round-the-clock underthe control of Directorate of Income Tax Investigation wingwould also be set up, he said, adding a toll-free number forenabling the public to inform them on any large movement ofcash and huge expenditure was also being set up.

"The toll-free number would be announced shortly", hesaid.

The strategy followed in last year''s Bihar assemblyelections would be replicated in the Tamil Nadu polls, saidChief Commissioner (Income Tax) and Nodal Officer (Elections)Anjani Kumar, who had served as the Directorate General ofIncome Tax (Investigation) department.

"In Bihar elections we did induct a good response throughour surveillance and have created a very good deterrance(among voters)", Kumar said.

Asserting the teams would also have the power to conductraids if needed, he said the objective of maintaining strictvigil was to ensure voters are not influenced by money.

Even in Bihar Elections they had seized "huge amounts ofcash" as the distributors tried it to influence the voters, hesaid.

A mobile team would also be appointed in every districtand in sensitive places an additional team would be deployed,Kumar said.

Adding that all airport and railway stations in the statewould be under surveillance, he said they would also monitordistribution of gifts in mass marriages and grandcelebrations.