Election-time seizure of inducements to cross Rs 9,000 cr mark, drugs form 45%: EC
Authorities have seized Rs. 849.15 crore in cash, liquor worth Rs. 814.85 crore, drugs worth Rs. 3,958.85 crore and precious metals worth Rs 1,260.33 crore
The Election Commission on Saturday (May 18) said authorities have seized cash, drugs and inducements worth Rs 8,889 crore aimed to influence voters in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls and such seizures may cross the Rs. 9,000 crore mark.
“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 8889 crores by the agencies,” the election watchdog said in a press release.
The EC attributed the unprecedented haul to “intelligence-based coordinated action, constant review and ESMS-enabled real time monitoring”.
At 45 per cent, drugs formed the biggest chunk of the total seizures. Narcotics worth around Rs 3,959 crore were seized, the Election Commission said in a press release.
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 body said.
The commission said it has laid special emphasis on the seizure of narcotics and psychotropic substances. 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 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, the poll panel noted.
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.
(With agency inputs)
