Post News Network
Cuttack, Sept 12: The Centre has so far traced black money to the tune of about `20,000 crore stashed in foreign countries, a crucial meet of Special Investigation Team (SIT) held here claimed Monday.
The meeting held at Telengabazar residence of SIT deputy chairman Arijit Pasayat focused on attempts to find out the sources of black money. The meeting also stressed measures to prevent flight of black money to foreign countries.
The probe by SIT found that black money was used for investments in gold, real estate and even educational institutions. Pasayat hinted at massive investment of black money by state’s gold traders.
The SIT has so far submitted six reports including a supplementary report to the Centre, said Pasayat adding another report will be submitted by December this year.
Hinting at investment of black money in corporate sector of Orissa, Pasayat reiterated the need for proper coordination among various departments to curb the menace.
The deputy chairman of SIT said 150 persons, who were issued notices on Panama papers fraud, have submitted their replies. However, there was no response from the NRIs, he added. A large chunk of black money was unearthed due to several I-T benefit schemes launched by Income Tax department, he said adding the SIT has created a sense of fear among the dishonest people. The SIT has so far been able to stop the source of earning black money by mafia and criminals. Pasayat reiterated the fact that a huge chunk of black money is invested in educational institutions in the state and there is an urgent need to reach out to these people.
The three-hour long meeting which began at 11am was attended by top officials of Enforcement Directorate (New Delhi), Control of Mining (Nagpur), Income Tax department, CBI, Central Excise and Customs, Central Board of Direct Taxes. Mines director Deepak Mohanty, Director general of police KB Singh, special DG (Crime) BK Sharma, vigilance director RP Sharma and others were present.