The Income Tax Department has deployed over 200 of its officers and employees across West Bengal, Sikkim and Andaman & Nicobar Islands to monitor election expenditure and flow of black money during the Lok Sabha elections, an official said here on Friday.

The department will have dedicated teams for each of the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal which will have a staggered seven-phase polling in the upcoming elections.

"We have formed a team 200 officers and employees to monitor cash movement and flow black money during elections. There will be dedicated teams for all Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal," IT investigation wing's Principal Director Ashish Verma said.

IT sleuths have so far seized Rs 3 crore cash mostly from various businessmen in Kolkata, he said.

In line with the instruction of the Election Commission to curb the use of black money during the elections, the department has set up a control room, so that citizen can give them information regarding suspicious cash movement.

It also asked banks to give them information of transactions of "big amount", he said, adding that state and city police have been roped in for cash movement surveillance.

Cash will be seized if the holder fails to tender satisfactory explanation or provide evidences such as ATM withdrawal receipt, the official added.

--IANS

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