Chennai: The Income Tax (Investigation)
Department will strictly monitor all districts of Tamil Nadu
and Puducherry for illegal transaction of funds to ensure a
"free and fair" conduct of Assembly polls in the state and the
Union Territory, a top official said on Saturday.
Director General of Income Tax (Investigation) P K
Sarangi said 70 teams comprising personnel from Income Tax
along with local police would maintain vigil in the districts.
Sarangi was talking to reporters after discussions with
officials of the State Election Commission and senior police
officers.
A control room that will function round-the-clock under
the control of Directorate of Income Tax Investigation wing
will also be set up, he said, adding that a toll-free number
for enabling the public to inform them on any large movement
of cash and huge expenditure was also being set up.
"The toll-free number would be announced shortly," he
said.
The strategy followed in last year`s Bihar Assembly
elections would be replicated in Tamil Nadu polls, Chief
Commissioner (Income Tax) and Nodal Officer (Elections) Anjani
Kumar said.
Asserting the teams would also have the power to conduct
raids if needed, he said the objective of maintaining strict
vigil was to ensure voters are not influenced by money.
A mobile team will be appointed in every district and in
sensitive places an additional team would be deployed, Kumar
said.
Adding that all airport and railway stations in the state
will be under surveillance, he said they would monitor
distribution of gifts in mass marriages and grand
celebrations.
PTI
