GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th Nov. Cash seizures have increased ahead of the upcoming elections in five states, according to the Tax Department. The chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxation, Nitin Gupta, stated that more unexplained cash has been seized compared to previous elections in these states.
The enforcement agencies, including the Income Tax department, have intensified surveillance and received information about unexplained cash and jewelry through toll-free numbers.
Gupta emphasized that the monitoring of unexplained cash and surveillance before elections is rigorous and coordinated with the Election Commission and state election authority.
In Rajasthan alone, there has been a significant increase in the seizure of illegal cash, liquor, drugs, gold, and silver.
The total seizures have risen from 322 crore in 2021 and 347 crore in 2022 to 1,021 crore as of October 2023.
The states of Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Mizoram will hold elections in November.
In July, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs issued a Standard Operating Procedure for tax officers to implement the Election Commission’s directions regarding the use of freebies, illicit cash, liquor, and drugs to influence voters.
Tax officers were instructed to monitor the distribution of coupon-based or free fuel and cash to entice voters.
GST and Customs officials were also directed to establish flying squads and static surveillance teams to conduct checks on vehicles and verify warehouses to prevent illegal activities.
