31 May,2024 04:16 PM IST | Chandigarh | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image. File Pic
Unaccounted cash, liquor and valuables worth Rs 801.47 crore have been seized by Law enforcement agencies so far since the Model Code of Conduct came into force, reported PTI citing Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C on Friday.
He said the total seizures comprised narcotics worth Rs 716.78 crore, Rs 26.89 crore unaccounted cash, liquor worth Rs 26.75 crore, precious metals worth Rs 23.86 crore and freebies worth Rs 7.17 crore.
As per the PTI report, the Punjab CEO said that in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the seizures were to the tune of Rs 284 crore.
Polling for 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will be held on June 1. Counting will be held on June 4.
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Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Rs 8,889 crore seized amidst poll; drugs contribute majority
Amid ongoing Lok Sabha Election, authorities have seized cash, drugs and inducements worth Rs 8,889 crore that aimed to influence voters' choice in the polls, the Election Commission said on Saturday.
As per the report by new agency PTI, 45 percent of the seizure was in the form of drugs making it the biggest chunk of the total seizures. Narcotics worth around Rs 3,959 crore were seized, it said.
Drugs, liquor, precious metals, freebies and cash influence elections in varying degrees, some flowing directly as inducements while others through reduced levels of circulation of money, the poll authority said.
The commission said it has laid special emphasis on the seizure of narcotics and psychotropic substances.
"Enhanced vigil against inducements, including drugs and psychotropic substances, has resulted in big seizure actions and a continuous surge. Drug seizures have been maximum. Regular follow-ups and reviews of districts and agencies in areas of expenditure monitoring, precise data interpretation and active participation of enforcement agencies have led to this significant spurt in seizures since March 1," the ECI said.
Analysis of data found that states and Union Territories that used to be transit zones are increasingly becoming consumption territories of drugs, it said.
The poll body stated that the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad, Narcotics Control Bureau and the Indian Coast Guard in joint operations have made three high-value seizures of drugs in just three days, amounting to Rs 892 crore.
Rs 849.15 core in cash, Rs 814.85 crore worth of liquor, drugs worth Rs 3,958.85 crore and precious metals worth Rs 1,260.33 crore have been seized, it added.
