Consolidated Seizures in Assembly Elections Crosses Historic Milestone of Rs 1000 Crores

NEW DELHI: The stupendous rise in seizure figures is because of better preparedness and multi-pronged strategy of the Commission. The Commission conducted exhaustive reviews at various levels which included a review meetings with Enforcement agencies of the States/UT, meetings with Revenue Secretary; Chairman, CBDT; Chairman, CBIC & Director FIU-Ind for inter-agency co-operation and real-time sharing of intelligence. Commission also convened meetings with Secretaries, Principal Secretaries (Home), DGPs, Secretary Excise/Excise Commissioners, DGs Income Tax, Police & CAPF Nodals of all poll-bound States/UT & its neighbouring States, MHA and Railway Officials to ensure comprehensive monitoring.

For effective monitoring, Commission has appointed five Special Expenditure Observers; Madhu Mahajan, ex-IRS(IT):1982 and B. R Balakrishnan, ex-IRS (IT):1983 (both for Tamil Nadu and UT of Puducherry), B.Murali Kumar, ex-IRS, 1983 batch (for West Bengal), Neena Nigam, ex-IRS, 1983 batch (for Assam) and Sri Pushpinder Singh Puniha, ex-IRS, 1985 batch (for Kerala). These officers having formidable domain expertise and impeccable track record did extensive travelling of respective States and interacted with enforcement Agencies for focused monitoring. Special Officer, CEO, Rajasthan, Praveen Gupta was also deputed to assist the Commission in precise and comprehensive monitoring. Read more

As part of the strategy, the Commission focused on vigil and seizures by all participating enforcement agencies. Police, Income Tax, Excise, GST, NCB,

DRI, RPF has shown active involvement in the expenditure monitoring process. The Expenditure Division of Commission ensured better coordination with Nodal Officers appointed for Expenditure Monitoring in various CEO offices.

As per law, distributing cash and gifts during the electoral process with the intent to influence voters is not permitted and such expenditure comes under the definition of "bribery" which is an offence both under 171B of IPC and under the R.P. Act, 1951. The expenditure on such items is illegal. The drive against the menace of money power will continue with vigour in the remaining phases of elections and the seizure figures are expected to even further. Read more

Annexure- Progressive seizure fig. as of 15.05.2021(Figures in Rs. Crores)

States	Cash	Liquor (worth Rs crores)	Drugs (worth Rs crores)	Freebies	Precious Metals	Total
Assam	27.09	41.97	34.41	15.18	3.69	122.35
Puducherry	5.52	0.70	0.25	3.06	27.42	36.95
Tamil Nadu	236.69	5.27	2.22	25.64	176.46	446.28
Kerala	22.88	5.16	4.06	1.95	50.86	84.91
West Bengal	50.71	30.11	118.83	88.39	12.07	300.11
Bye-elections	1.96	1.79	1.83	4.96	0.30	10.84
Total	344.85	85.01	161.60	139.18	270.80	1001.44