Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Direct Taxes
New Delhi, 27th January, 2017.
Press Release
Election Commission of India Applauds the Role of Income Tax Department during Elections held in 2016.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) National Awards for 2016 were presented by the Honourable President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherji, on the occasion of National Voters Day on the 25th of January, 2017. Shri B.R. Balakrishnan, DGIT (Inv.), Bengaluru received the ECI Special award for Expenditure Monitoring on behalf of the Department for taking up successful measures for expenditure monitoring through surveillance, searches and cash seizure.
This award is a validation and appreciation of the Department’s role in the Electoral process of the Indian Democracy. The special efforts of the Investigation Directorate, Chennai during the Tamil Nadu assembly elections held in April-May 2016 have been recognized by the Election Commission of India.
During the course of elections in Tamil Nadu, 32 searches resulting in cash seizure of approximately Rs. 33 crore were conducted by the Investigation Directorate at Chennai. Ultimately, some of the searches conducted by the Directorate also resulted in counter-manding the assembly polls in the constituencies of Aruvakkurichy and Tanjavore, perhaps a step taken by the Election commission for the first time in the electoral history of Tamil Nadu.
The elections provided an opportunity for the officers and staff of the Income tax Department to contribute to the democratic process, both as citizens participating in elections, and as empowered Government officers carrying out their duties with professional competence and dedication
The Chairman and Members of CBDT congratulate the entire team of the Directorate of Investigation, Chennai on this remarkable performance.
Commissioner of Income Tax
(Media and Technical Policy)
Official Spokesperson, CBDT.
