.jpg "ECI crackdown leads to seizure of Rs 8,889 cr so far")
New Delhi: The Election Commission’s determined and concerted assault on money power and inducements in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections has resulted in staggering seizures worth Rs 8,889 crore by the agencies.
Enhanced vigil against inducements including drugs and psychotropic substances has resulted in big seizure actions and continuous surge. Drug seizures have been maximum.
According to Election Commission of India (ECI), 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 seizure of drugs, liquor, precious metals, freebies, cash influences elections in varying degrees, some flowing directly as inducement while others through reduced levels of circulation of money. This, thereby, adversely impacts linkages of proceeds of illegal activities to political campaigns.
The ECI has laid special emphasis on seizure of narcotics and psychotropic substances. Analysis of data found that States and UTs which used to be transit zones are increasingly becoming consumption territories. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar addressing the nodal agencies during one of the review visits had said “Precise intel-based collaborative efforts by agencies against drugs and narcotics is need of the hour to root out the role of dirty money of drug trade in elections and more important and holistically, to save future of youth and thereby, country”.
The contribution of seizure of drugs is Rs. 3,958 crores which is 45 per cent of total seizures.
The Commission led by CEC Rajiv Kumar along with EC Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu held meetings with DG, Narcotics Control Bureau to take up analytics-based proactive action for ensuring action by dedicated Nodal Officers of NCB.
Similarly active involvement of DRI, Indian Coast Guard, State police and other agencies was ensured during ongoing elections. All these measures have led to significant seizures in two months post announcement of polls.
With increasing intensity of campaigning in last three phases, the ECI is keeping close tab on attempts at influencing voters through inducements and has directed the CEOs and enforcement agencies to step up the vigil. The crusade against drugs and other inducements by the Commission will continue.
Gujarat ATS, NCB and Indian Coast Guard, in joint operations have made three high-value seizures of drugs in just three days amounting to Rs 892 crore.
