Poll code helpline proves a blessing for I-T dept
Mohit Behl | TNN | Mar 25, 2019, 07:13 ISTLudhiana: Ten days after the income tax department set up a dedicated control room and issued a toll-free helpline number (18001804814) for the public to register any complaints regarding illegal movement of cash for use in elections or for influencing voters, the helpline is turning out to be a blessing for the department.
It is not yet clear how many calls related to the movement of cash due to polls were received by the department on the number, but according to information available from sources in the department, people are using the helpline to report cases of black money and tax evasion. In some cases, callers have complained about their neighbours possessing huge amounts of black money, and not paying their taxes honestly. In other cases, callers are complaining about government officials, who have allegedly amassed wealth beyond their known sources of income.
Sources also claimed the I-T department was keeping a record of all such calls, and it would take action in cases where callers were providing credible information about tax evasion or black money. The toll-free number —which is operational round the clock — will remain in service until the model code of conduct is in force. It seems the I-T department may or may not get any clues about the movement of poll-related cash, but the toll-free number will certainly help the department crack the whip on tax-evaders.
Meanwhile, a high-ranking official of the I-T department told TOI: “During assembly elections in Punjab in 2017 also, this kind of helpline was started by our department. At that time too, the call centre was flooded with calls relating to tax evasion and amassing of black money by businessmen, bureaucrats, and others. However, a majority of the complaints received then were baseless, and were only a result of personal enmity of the complainants with the persons they named. But in some cases, credible information was received and processed accordingly.”
He added: “As far as tax evasion or amassing of black money is concerned, we are always open to receiving information from the public by keeping the identity of the informants secret. So, if any cases of tax evasion are reported on the helpline set up for reporting poll-related violations, the department will probe those as well, provided they are credible.”
CALLERS GIVE INFO
* People using helpline to report general cases of black money and tax evasion.
* Some complained about their neighbours, others about government officials.
* The 24/7 number will remain in service until the poll code is in force.
* Similar helpline was used during Punjab assembly elections in 2017.
It is not yet clear how many calls related to the movement of cash due to polls were received by the department on the number, but according to information available from sources in the department, people are using the helpline to report cases of black money and tax evasion. In some cases, callers have complained about their neighbours possessing huge amounts of black money, and not paying their taxes honestly. In other cases, callers are complaining about government officials, who have allegedly amassed wealth beyond their known sources of income.
Sources also claimed the I-T department was keeping a record of all such calls, and it would take action in cases where callers were providing credible information about tax evasion or black money. The toll-free number —which is operational round the clock — will remain in service until the model code of conduct is in force. It seems the I-T department may or may not get any clues about the movement of poll-related cash, but the toll-free number will certainly help the department crack the whip on tax-evaders.
Meanwhile, a high-ranking official of the I-T department told TOI: “During assembly elections in Punjab in 2017 also, this kind of helpline was started by our department. At that time too, the call centre was flooded with calls relating to tax evasion and amassing of black money by businessmen, bureaucrats, and others. However, a majority of the complaints received then were baseless, and were only a result of personal enmity of the complainants with the persons they named. But in some cases, credible information was received and processed accordingly.”
He added: “As far as tax evasion or amassing of black money is concerned, we are always open to receiving information from the public by keeping the identity of the informants secret. So, if any cases of tax evasion are reported on the helpline set up for reporting poll-related violations, the department will probe those as well, provided they are credible.”
CALLERS GIVE INFO
* People using helpline to report general cases of black money and tax evasion.
* Some complained about their neighbours, others about government officials.
* The 24/7 number will remain in service until the poll code is in force.
* Similar helpline was used during Punjab assembly elections in 2017.
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