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In an endeavour 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 totalling Rs 6.89 crores, 22.8 lakh litres 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, totalling 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 crore, followed by Tarn Taran with Rs 53.74 crore, Firozpur with Rs 49.34 crore, and Fazilka with Rs 41.71 crore. Other districts with significant seizures include Ludhiana Rs 25.42 crore, Pathankot Rs 21.4 crore, Jalandhar Rs 17.34 crore, Sangrur Rs 11 crore, Gurdaspur Rs 10.38 crore, Kapurthala Rs 6.02 crore, Hoshiarpur Rs. 4.89 crore, Bathinda Rs 3.94 crore, and Shahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar Rs 3.90 crore. Furthermore, Barnala recorded seizures worth Rs 2.2 crore, Moga Rs 2.05 crore, Patiala Rs 1.47 crore, Rupnagar Rs 1.33 crore, Muktsar Sahib Rs 1.26 crore, 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 the 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. (ANI)
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