Operation Clean Money: 2 lakh logged into website, 16,000 responded to messages

New Delhi [India], Feb. 4 (ANI): At least 2 lakh people logged into the income tax website and around 16,000 responded to the messages sent by the Centre under the 'Operation Clean Money' after it identified 18 lakh individuals who made 'suspicious' cash deposits following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement to demonetise Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes.

The Finance Ministry had launched the drive on January 31 and identified 18 lakh individuals whose deposits were suspicious. The identified individuals had made deposits of above Rs. 5 lakh between November 9 and December 31.

The Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Sushil Chandra told ANI that 16 thousand individuals have responded online to the messages sent to them through mails and SMSes.

"If the case is selected for verification, request for additional information and its response will also be communicated electronically. The information on the online portal will be dynamic and will get updated on receipt of new information, response and data analytics," he added.

Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia, while addressing the National Executive Committee Meeting of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), said that if any genuine discrepancies are found, only then notices would be issued to the individuals.

"Please don't call it a notice. These are only messages that have been sent for clarification. If we find any genuine discrepancies, only then notices will be sent," he said.

The Income Tax Department has enabled online verification of these transactions to reduce compliance cost for the taxpayers while optimising its resources. The information is available at the e-filing window of the PAN holder.

The response of taxpayer will be assessed against the available information. In case explanation of source of cash is found justified, the verification will be closed without any need to visit the Income Tax Office.

The verification will also be closed if the cash deposit is declared under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna (PMGKY).