Guwahati, March 17 The Income Tax department has established a 24-hour control room in Assam to monitor the use of illicit funds during the upcoming state assembly elections, an official statement said on Tuesday.
It urged citizens to contact the control room with any credible information regarding suspicious movement or distribution of cash, precious metals, or other valuables related to the elections, adding that the identity of the informant will remain confidential.
Elections for the 126-member state assembly will be held on April 9, with votes being counted on May 4.
The statement said the control room has been established to assist the Election Commission in "curbing the influence of illicit funds in elections."
"During the Model Code of Conduct, the Directorate of Income Tax (Investigation), North Eastern Region, Guwahati, will maintain strict surveillance on the movement of unaccounted cash, bullion, precious metals, and other valuables that are likely or suspected to be used for electoral purposes within the state," it said.
As part of these measures, a 24×7 Control Room has been established at the Aayakar Bhawan in Guwahati.
The public can contact the control room via the following channels: mobile number/WhatsApp 9401085214, mobile number/WhatsApp 9181324184, landline number 0361-2340396, and email: ssamelections26[at]gmail[dot]com, to "report credible information regarding suspicious movement or distribution of cash, bullion, precious metals, or other valuables related to the elections," the statement said.
The statement urged the public to use these communication channels, adding, "Informants are not required to disclose personal details such as name or identity. However, it is essential that the information shared is credible and actionable."
The control room will remain operational until the completion of the election process, it said.