Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Nov 26: A flying squad has been formed to identify and take action against organizations and individuals enticing the public with benami schemes offering extravagant rewards such as apartments, cars, bikes, and gold in Dakshina Kannada district.

Police sources revealed that a CCB team recently visited the office of one such organization and studied its modus operandi. The city police commissioner has instructed officials to gather details of all similar operations within the jurisdiction of every police station.

The additional deputy commissioner (ADC) has emphasized that flying squads should conduct thorough investigations into such cases and treat complaints seriously, especially where the public is being misled.

As per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directives, financial or gift schemes worth crores of rupees must adhere to specific guidelines. However, it has been observed that these schemes operate without following any prescribed rules or obtaining permissions from authorities like the MCC or other local bodies.

Concerned citizens allege that such schemes collect over one crore rupees monthly, with instalment amounts ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000. According to income tax regulations, winners of gifts or lotteries are required to pay a 30% tax, but these rules are reportedly being flouted, raising suspicions of tax evasion.

Dr G Santhosh Kumar, additional deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada, stated, “Lottery tickets are already banned in Karnataka, and there is no scope for any unauthorized collection of money. Directives have been issued at the government level, and they will be enforced effectively.”