I-T dept sets up black money tip-off helpline for UP polls

The income tax (I-T) department has set up a 24x7 toll free helpline - 1800-180-6555 - to help people report movement of black money during the seven phased Uttar Pradesh elections.

The move is important given the renewed focus on black money post demonetisation.

This is the first election where all the candidates would be required to open a separate bank account and conduct all poll-related transactions through it to ensure transparency in political funding and spending.The account number would have to be mentioned while filing nominations.

Demonetisation is likely to impact UP polls as experts expect that the move would affect election spending. “It would be unrealistic to expect that the black money would be completely wiped out. So there is no way we could let down our guard,” an income tax official said.

Political parties’ response to demonetisation has been on expected lines with BJP supporting the move while Congress, SP, BSP and RLD questioning the timing.

The BSP as well as Congress have accused BJP of initiating the move after ‘settling’ its own ‘black money’.

Black money has always played a role in elections with candidates often accused of ‘luring’ voters through cash. In 2012 UP elections, nearly ₹35 crore unaccounted money was seized.

Tax officials have also released an e-mail (nodaleec.itax-up@gov.in) and a fax number (2209525) to report any “suspicious cash movement.”