CHANDIGARH: In an endeavor to preserve the sanctity of the electoral process, enforcement agencies in Punjab have conducted extensive operations, resulting in the confiscation of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals and freebies valued at Rs 321.51 crore since the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the Lok Sabha elections on March 16, till date.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C revealed that the seizures comprised cash totaling Rs. 6.89 crores, 22.8 lakh liters of liquor valued at Rs. 14.93 crores, drugs valued at Rs. 287.23 crores, precious metals amounting to Rs. 11.37 crores, and freebies valued at Rs. 1.09 crores, totaling Rs. 321.51 crores.
He informed that 24 enforcement agencies are actively operating in the state. Among these, major seizures have been made by the Punjab Police amounting to Rs. 276.19 crores, followed by the Border Security Force at Rs. 22.85 crores, State Excise Department Rs. 7.21 crores, State Goods and Service Tax Department Rs. 5 crores, Customs Department Rs.4.37 crores, Income Tax Department Rs. 4.08 crores and Narcotics Control Bureau Rs. 1.76 crores.
Among the districts Amritsar topped the list with total seizures made worth Rs. 60.3 crores, followed by Tarn Taran with Rs. 53.74 crores, Firozpur with Rs. 49.34 crores, and Fazilka with Rs. 41.71 crores.
Other districts with significant seizures include Ludhiana Rs. 25.42 crores, Pathankot Rs. 21.4 crores, Jalandhar Rs. 17.34 crores, Sangrur Rs. 11 crores, Gurdaspur Rs. 10.38 crores, Kapurthala Rs. 6.02 crores, Hoshiarpur Rs. 4.89 crores, Bathinda Rs. 3.94 crores, and Shahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar Rs. 3.90 crores.
Furthermore, Barnala recorded seizures worth Rs. 2.2 crores, Moga Rs. 2.05 crores, Patiala Rs. 1.47 crores, Rupnagar Rs. 1.33 crores, Sri Muktsar Sahib Rs. 1.26 crores, Mansa Rs. 1 crore, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar Rs. 81.8 lakhs, Malerkotla Rs. 70 Lakhs, Faridkot Rs. 67 Lakhs and Fatehgarh Sahib Rs. 59 Lakhs.
The Chief Electoral Officer reiterated the commitment of entire staff to ensure the conduct of fair and peaceful elections in the state, in adherence to the directives of the Election Commission of India.Emphasizing the paramount importance of integrity and transparency in the electoral process, he underscored the tireless efforts of all personnel involved in upholding democratic principles. With unwavering dedication, they remain steadfast in their resolve to safeguard the sanctity of the democratic process and uphold the trust of the electorate.