Black money: Finance Ministry pats I-T Department for seizure of Rs 45 crore in Kolkata

NEW DELHI: Finance Ministry today lauded efforts of Income Tax Department in unearthing over Rs 45 crore black money in Kolkata and adjoining areas.

"Congratulations I-T Dept. One more successful unearthing of black money in Kolkata. Keep going," said Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das said in a tweet.

Yesterday, the I-T department had seized over Rs 45 crore cash, stashed in gunny bags and almirahs, in Kolkata and adjoining areas as part of a crackdown against lottery and hawala dealers suspected to be channeling illegal funds for Dawood Ibrahim gang.

The operation was initiated in the West Bengal capital and adjoining areas in early hours of Thursday based on inputs provided by the Intelligence Bureau about an alleged fake lottery racket which has its tentacles spread upto Tamil Nadu.

The I-T sleuths seized the money shortly before it was to be sent to Dubai through hawala channels, sources said.

Das was Revenue Secretary before taking over as Economic Affairs Secretary.