In order to keep a close watch on movement of undisclosed cash, jewellery and other valuable items, which may be used to influence voters during elections, the Andhra Pradesh unit of the Income Tax Department has deputed nodal officers and operationalised a control room, officials sources said here today.
The Election Commission of India has directed the IT Department to depute senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers as nodal officers, an official release said.
The department asked people having information regarding movement of cash, jewellery and other valuable items for distribution among voters to pass on such information to the 24x7 Central Control Room with toll free number - 18004251788 and cellular phone number 08985970014 as well as on email at -- electioncomplaints.Incometax@gmail.Com, it said.
Ten IRS officers of the rank of Deputy Director of Income Tax (Investigation) have been appointed as district nodal officers to oversee election-related activities in 23 districts of the state.
Also, 67 Income Tax officers have been appointed assistant nodal officers to assist district nodal officers.
Any interception of cash and jewellery by the police would be referred to Income Tax nodal officers for further investigation as per the Election Commission guidelines.
This is in addition to IRS officers appointed as expenditure observers directly by the ECI to monitor poll expenses of candidates.
The IT Department is keeping a close watch at all public places, public transport systems and suspicious persons at all locations to curb movement of undisclosed and unaccounted cash to lure voters, the release added.
