IT sleuths at Mumbai airports to check cash smuggling (Lead correcting para 2)

In a new move, the Income Tax Department has deployed the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) at Mumbai airports to detect any cash 'smuggling' during the ongoing election season, a top official said here on Monday.

The AIU teams have been stationed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport's domestic and international termini, the Juhu Airport and at Vakola, said IT Director-General (Investigations) K.K. Vyawahare.

The latest measure is in addition to the IT Department's special efforts to track movement of cash and valuables during the polls season, announced last Thursday.

"To encourage Mumbaikars to contribute to this, the people calling up our control room numbers can remain anonymous, without disclosing any personal details. What is vital is that the information received is credible and actionable," Vyawahare told the media.

The IT has implemented a three-tiered system to check use of black money and valuables in elections, with one Nodal Officer for Election Expenditure, Expenditure Officers and six sub-Nodal Officers, in coordination with the Election Commission.

To respond quickly to any intelligence, six Quick Response Teams - one for each of the six Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai - have been deployed which would reach any location within an hour and conclude the process on the actionable information within 6-7 hours.

For Mumbai alone, 200 officers have been deployed and if needed, additional manpower would be deployed depending on the volume of intelligence, said Vyawahare.

The IT Mumbai is also coordinating with the state and central agencies to gather information on black money, cash and valuables movements to ensure free and fair elections.

The IT Department has already set up various control room numbers, helpline numbers, WhatsApp numbers where people can call up and give tips to the sleuths for suitable action.

--IANS

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