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In view of the ensuing general election and simultaneous polling for the state assembly, the Investigation Directorate of the Income Tax (IT) department, Odisha region, has taken host of measures to curb the use of black money during the elections.
Separate offices have been set up in each district under the Directorate for monitoring of election expenditure by the candidates and movement of cash, drug, liquor, etc.
The IT department officials said, each of these offices is exclusively manned by an officer and several inspectors.
An airport intelligence unit has been set up at the Biju Patnaik International Airport, which is functioning in all working days to keep a close watch on movement of undisclosed cash during election time.
In addition, a round the clock control room and complaint monitoring cell is functioning from the at the Aayakar Bhawan annexe building here for receiving complaints or information regarding movement of undisclosed cash or other items suspected to be used as inducement to voters during ongoing election process. A toll free no 1800-345-6114 has been made operational so that anyone from the public may report movement of illegal cash during election.
Special teams have also been formed for keeping surveillance and gathering of intelligence regarding movement and use of black money during this period.
Polling will be held for 147 assembly and 21 Lok Sabha seats in the state in two phases. In the first phase, polling will be held on April 10 to elect candidates in 10 parliamentary constituencies and 70 seats of state assembly. Similarly, voters will exercise their franchise for 11 Lok Sabha and 77 assembly seats mostly in the coastal part of the state on April 17.
