During the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, the Income Tax Department has carried out an unprecedented crackdown that has resulted in the record seizure of Rs 1100 crore in cash and jewellery. According to reports from ANI, this incredible capture represents an 182% rise over the Rs 390 crore confiscated during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Unprecedented Seizure Since Model Code of Conduct Enforcement
The Election Commission of India announced the dates of the Lok Sabha elections on March 16, aligned with the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Ever since, the Income Tax Department has increased its level of vigilance, keeping surveillance and seizing unaccounted money and items that may be used to influence voters.
Top States in Seizures: Delhi and Karnataka Lead
Delhi and Karnataka were the two places with the highest amount of cash and jewels seized—over Rs 200 crore apiece. Closely behind, Tamil Nadu recorded seizures totaling Rs 150 crore. More than Rs 100 crore worth of cash and jewels were seized in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha combined.
Robust Measures to Curb Unaccounted Cash
Each state has set up 24×7 control rooms to monitor and stop the unauthorised flow of money that politicians could use to influence elections in an effort to stop unethical behaviour. The MCC states that anyone discovered in possession of new things costing more than Rs 10,000 or cash above Rs 50,000 without the appropriate paperwork will have these items seized. The objects will be returned if proper documentation is shown indicates that they have nothing to do with with the elections. Any cash that is seized which is more than Rs 10 lakh, meanwhile, would be sent to the Income Tax Department for additional investigation.
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