Bengaluru: The investigation wing of the Income Tax Department will set up dedicated teams headed by deputy directors in each district of the State in the run-up to the Legislative Assembly elections to curb use of money power, said B.R. Balakrishnan, Director-General, Income Tax (Investigation), Karnataka and Goa, on Friday.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the inauguration of a new office premises of the department here, Balakrishnan said money power is perceived to play a major role in the elections in Karnataka, among a few other States. The Election Commission of India has already held a couple of preliminary meetings on the smooth conduct of the elections, and curbing money power was among the issues discussed, he said.
The deputy directors of the department would have the statutory power of search and seizure, Balakrishnan said. The department would also set up dedicated telephone lines and provide email address to enable the public to provide information about use of money.
During the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the department could seize about Rs 40 crore in cash following rigorous enforcement. Tamil Nadu is another State where money power was said to play a major role in the elections, he noted.
