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The Election Commission (EC) on Monday said enforcement agencies had seized Rs 4,658.16 crore worth of narcotics, alcohol, cash, precious metals, and other freebies meant as inducements for voters. The seizures, on average of Rs 100 crore per day in the past 45 days since March 1, are 34 per cent more than the Rs 3,475 crore worth of seizures during the entire 2019 Lok Sabha (LS) election schedule, and the highest ever in the last 75 years.
Alarmingly, according to the EC data, narcotics seized account for Rs 2,068.85 crore, or 45 per cent, of the total seizures. Agencies have seized drugs worth Rs 2,068.85 crore, up from Rs 1,279.9 crore in 2019, and freebies valued at Rs 1,142.49 crore, up from Rs 60.15 crore.
Preceding the official announcement in March, Rs 7,502 crore worth of seizures were made in the months of January and February. The EC said there was a “substantial focus on drug seizures”, which accounted for 75 per cent of the total seizures in January and February. The total seizures from January to now are over Rs 12,000 crore with six weeks still left in the election period, the EC said.
Rs 100 crore have been seized each day since 1st March, says Election Commission of India
— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2024
Rs 4,650 crores seized even before polling begins, higher than total seizures in 2019 polls: ECI pic.twitter.com/KjcJjvw8WS
Until now, Rs 395.5 crore worth of cash has been seized. In the course of the 2019 LS polls, agencies seized Rs 844 crore worth of cash. “The seizures are a critical part of the EC’s resolve to conduct the LS elections free of inducements and electoral malpractices and to ensure a level playing field. Tightening, monitoring, and checking were among the focus of deliberations to ensure an inducement-free electoral process,” the EC said.
Liquor seizures of over 350 million litres are worth Rs 489.3 crore, up from Rs 304.6 crore in the last LS elections. Agencies have seized precious metals worth Rs 562.1 crore. In 2019, agencies seized precious metals worth Rs 987.11 crore.
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Statewise, the highest total amount seized so far (up to April 13) was in Rajasthan at Rs 778.5 crore, followed by Gujarat at Rs 605.33 crore, Tamil Nadu at Rs 460.8 crore, Maharashtra at Rs 431.3 crore, and Punjab at Rs 311.8 crore. Goods and cash worth around Rs 236 crore were seized in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The EC said it had suspended the flying squad team leader for laxity in duty and selective checking of a cavalcade of a prominent leader in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris constituency. “Similarly, officials checked vehicles in the convoy of the chief minister of a state and also the vehicle of a deputy CM in another state,” it said. The EC has taken strict action against 106 government servants who have been found assisting politicians in campaigning, thereby violating the code of conduct and instructions, it said.
EC searches Rahul’s helicopter
On Monday, EC officials in Tamil Nadu conducted checks in a helicopter carrying Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. A few days back, the helicopter of TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee was also inspected by the authorities in West Bengal. EC sources said surveillance and inspection of non-scheduled aircraft and helicopters by the agencies during poll season was part of standing instructions.
In the run-up to the polls, all district magistrates and superintendents of police were told to keep a strict watch on airfields and helipads. Such searches are taking place in airfields, both public and private, across the country to ensure inducements are not ferried by air, the EC said.
Agencies that are assisting the EC include the income-tax department, state police, Reserved Bank of India, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Enforcement Directorate, Department of Post, state excise, Narcotics Control Bureau, Border Security Force, and others.
At peak
Rs 4,658.16 cr Total seizures so far
45%: Share of narcotics seized so far (Rs 2,068.85 cr)
45%: Share of narcotics seized so far (Rs 2,068.85 cr)
34%: Increase in seizures than during the entire 2019 elections (Rs 3,475 cr)
