Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 13: On the directions of the Election Commission of India, the Income Tax Department has established special cell to monitor cash or other items suspected to be used to bribe voters during the Lok Sabha polls.
“The Director General of Income Tax (Investigation), Chandigarh has set up independent control room and complaint monitoring cell in Aayakar Bhawan, Jammu with a Toll Free Number 18001807040 for receiving complaints or information regarding movement of large sums of cash or other items suspected to be used for bribing the voters during the 2014 elections”,’ A K Thatai, Commissioner Income Tax told reporters here today.
He said that the number will function 24×7 and three inspectors have been deputed to receive and attend any complaints round the clock. “The Income Tax Investigation Directorate on the basis of information or complaint will conduct independent enquiry against any person with the help of security provided by the District Election Officer”, he added.
Mr Thatai further said that dedicated email ID itcrjmu@gmail.com has been created to receive any information regarding movement of cash for bribing voters, adding wide publicity is also being given to educate the public to carry valid proof of cash withdrawal while carrying/ transporting cash exceeding Rs 10 lakh.
He said that in all 22 districts, Income Tax Officers and Inspectors under Sub Nodal Officers of the rank of ACIT/DCIT have been deputed to attend any call relating to movement of cash or distribution of cash. “Airports at Jammu, Srinagar and Leh besides Jammu Tawi Railway Station are also under surveillance of the department and Air Intelligence Units have also been set up at all the airports of the state from the date of announcement of elections”’, he added.
He said any transaction exceeding Rs 10 lakh and bullion exceeding one-kg will be intimated to the department. The Commissioner further said all major hotels, banquet halls and suspected “‘Hawala’ operators are also under strict vigil and surveillance of department to monitor the expenditure made by the contesting candidates during elections.
Responding to a question, he said that banks have been asked to intimate suspicious cash deposits and withdrawals exceeding Rs 10 lakh during the election period in cases where earlier no such transactions were observed.
He, however, said the identity of any person, who informs the department about any such incident, will be kept secret, adding, “we have also appealed that fake complaints should not be made to the authorities as they will not be entertained”. Sarpanchs and Panchs in various districts have been asked to aware people of their respective locations and keep check on transfer or transaction of money, the Commissioner added.
Later, Mr Thatai met a galaxy of top tax payers of Jammu region at Aayakar Bhawan. The meeting was attended by the representatives of all prominent industrialists and traders bodies and also by professionals who as per information of Income Tax Department are paying good amount towards taxes.
Addressing the meeting, Mr Thatai called upon all the assessees to pay their advance tax, the last installment of which is falling due on March 15, by properly calculating their income to avoid any payment of interest, penalty or prosecution proceedings against them.
It may be mentioned that the 4th and last installment for corporate assesses and 3rd installment for non-corporate assessees like individuals and firms is falling due on March 15, which in fact is the last opportunity provided to the assessees to pay their advance tax installment failing which the department has many provisions as per Income Tax Act, 1961 to punish the offenders.
Mr Thatai, while discussing the targets given to J&K charge till March 10, 2014, indicated the areas of shortfall where he strongly requested the top tax payers not only to pay their own taxes on time but also advise and guide their business associates, trade mates and other friends in social circle who may not be aware of provisions of Income Tax to pay proper installment of taxes.
“You are our partners and stake holders in bringing about a very fair tax administration which is collecting taxes from this region for the development and growth of this nation at large and of this region at a micro level because the money which we collect towards taxes in this region comes back and is being used in various development projects”, the IT Commissioner said.
Earlier, R K Kakar, Joint Commissioner of Income Tax, Range-1 made a power point presentation wherein he dwelt upon the performance of various areas in which the department is functioning.
Rakesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Income Tax, Mini Chandran U, Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax (HQ) and B B Gupta, Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, Circle-2 also spoke at the occasion and expressed their hope that the big tax payers would become partners in the path of progress not only for FY 2013-14 but in future also.
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