Mumbai: To woo voters ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the investigation directorate of the income tax department has launched one landline, one toll-free, and two WhatsApp numbers where people can call and inform officials about the usage of black money, gold etc.
An income tax officer from the control room said that every city has different numbers and seven to eight teams have been set up per city to take action.
The numbers are 022 22820562, one toll free number 1800 221 510, and two WhatsApp numbers 937272723 and 9372727824. Such numbers have been rolled out across the country but every city has separate numbers. The above-mentioned numbers are for Mumbai.
Anyone who witnesses black money, cash, gold, silver etc. being used by election candidates during campaigning, can dial these numbers and officers will visit the spot.
The numbers will be active 24/7 and a control room will be set up at the income tax department’s office. An officer said, “The two numbers are operational since Wednesday while the two WhatsApp numbers will be activated in a day’s time. People can call on these numbers anytime and launch their complaints.”
“The income tax department has set up seven to eight teams across Mumbai that will be immediately sent to the spot from where the complaint is received. We will confiscate cash, gold or any materials used to woo voters, however police will take further action as income tax officials do not have the power to arrest,” the officer said.
