The Income Tax Department deploys 650 officers to monitor the movement of cash.

The Income Tax Department has deployed more than 650 of its officials to monitor the movement of cash and other assets ahead of the Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.

A 20-member team led by an officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner will be assigned to each district. Special rapid action teams have been deployed to monitor sensitive constituencies where largescale cash distribution is suspected.

Rapid action team

“Going by the last election, we have identified 20 sensitive constituencies where additional manpower will be deployed,” said PS Sivasankaran, Additional Director Income Tax (Investigation), Chennai. They told Hindu On Wednesday: “Special rapid action teams will also be used to take action against specific groups. For example, if we get information about a specific group and we need to search multiple locations at once, This team will be used. “

A Marine Intelligence Unit has been formed for the first time at Kamarajar Port. “This is for monitoring goods and other items that are coming through the port,” he said.

Temporary air intelligence units have also been set up at Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem and Tiruchi. There is an air intelligence unit near Chennai Airport that operates regularly, and “we have increased our resources there,” Mr. Sivasankaran said. “We have also requested details of private jets and helicopters coming to the state. This information must be given before landing [for surprise checks]”

During the 2016 assembly election, the Income Tax Department seized ₹ 31.74 crore in cash. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it seized ₹ 80.5 crore in cash and ₹ 1.09 crore worth of valuables.

A control room has been set up in the investigation wing of the Income Tax Department, which is working round the clock. Teams working there are disseminating information shared by the public and others.

Mr. Sivasankaran said that the biggest challenge was unclear calls.

“At the time, the information is not specific; It is based on political or commercial rivalry. In previous elections, there were examples of people who called us to divert our attention. About 20% of calls and information given are genuine, ”he said.