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Bengal Leads Poll Freebie Seizures at Rs 319 Crore, Tops 5 States

West Bengal has reported the highest seizure of cash, liquor, and other freebies worth Rs 319 crore among five poll-bound states and union territories. The total value of inducements seized across all five regions—West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry—stands at over Rs 651.5 crore. A significant portion of the seizures in Bengal includes 21.29 lakh litres of liquor and drugs valued at Rs 65 crore. The Election Commission has deployed thousands of flying squads and surveillance teams to ensure inducement-free elections.

Key Points: Rs 319 Crore Seized in Bengal, Leads Poll-Bound States in Freebies

  • Bengal tops seizure tally at Rs 319 crore
  • Rs 651.5 crore seized across five poll-bound states
  • Over 21 lakh litres of liquor seized in Bengal
  • ECI deploys over 5,000 flying squads for enforcement
2 min read

West Bengal reports highest seizure of poll freebies, cash at Rs 319 crore

Election officials seize Rs 651.5 crore in cash, liquor, drugs, and freebies across five states. West Bengal tops with Rs 319 crore recovered ahead of polls.

"West Bengal accounts for the maximum of 21.29 lakh litres - ECI statement"

New Delhi, April 5

A total of Rs 319 crore worth cash, liquor and other freebies have been seized by election flying squads and enforcement agencies in West Bengal till Sunday, an official said.

Among the five poll-bound States/UTs, Bengal tops the table for recovery of freebies (Rs 150 crore), liquor (Rs 55 crore), precious metal (Rs 39 crore) and cash (Rs 11 crore) which were allegedly being used for inducement of electors.

Drugs valued at Rs 65 crore have been recovered from the state by law enforcers in the run-up to the two-phase elections on April 23 and 29, said the ECI statement.

Out of the 29.63 lakh litres of liquor seized by poll official in all five states/UTs, West Bengal accounts for the maximum of 21.29 lakh litres, said the ECI.

In Assam, the ECI said flying squads and surveillance teams have seized Rs 4 crore cash in the state in the runup to the election.

Apart from cash, 6,84,627 litres of liquor, worth Rs 20 crore, has also been confiscated in Assam.

The ECI said that drugs worth Rs 56 crore, precious metals worth Rs 4 crore and other freebies valued at Rs 13 crore have been seized in Assam till April 5.

The total value of freebies and contraband recovered in Assam so far is Rs 97 crore, said the ECI.

In Tamil Nadu, the total seizures have been worth Rs 170. This included Rs 67 crore seizure of drugs, Rs 63 crore worth other freebies, Rs 30 crore cash, Rs 8 crore precious metal and Rs 2 crore liquor.

In Kerala, the ECI has recovered a total of Rs 58 crore worth inducement items. This includes Rs 41 crore worth drugs, Rs 8 crore cash, Rs 5 crore worth other freebies, Rs 2 crore worth liquor and Rs 1 crore worth precious metal.

In Puducherry, the recovery is worth Rs 7 crore, including Rs 6 crore precious metal, Rs 20 lakh cash, Rs 30 lakh liquor and other freebies worth Rs 1 lakh.

In all, the enforcement agencies have seized illegal cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals and freebies worth more than Rs 651.5 crore from all the five election-bound states.

To ensure violence-free, intimidation-free and inducement- free elections, the ECI has deployed 5,173 flying squads across the States/UT to ensure that the complaints are attended to within 100 minutes.

Besides this, over 5,200 Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) have also been deployed for setting up surprise pickets at different locations, the ECI said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
The sheer amount of liquor seized—21 lakh litres! Imagine if that had reached voters. It's sad that parties think they can buy our conscience with alcohol and cash. Good job by the flying squads.
R
Rahul R
While I appreciate the ECI's efforts, Rs 651 crore seized across five states is probably just the tip of the iceberg. The real amount circulating must be 10x this. The system needs a complete overhaul.
M
Michael C
As an observer, these numbers are staggering. The scale of attempted voter inducement is immense. It undermines democracy. Strong enforcement is the only way forward. Respect to the teams on the ground.
A
Anjali F
Instead of giving freebies, why can't parties focus on their actual work and manifesto? We are not for sale. I hope voters remember this and choose wisely based on development work, not short-term gifts.
K
Karthik V
The high numbers from Bengal and Tamil Nadu are concerning, but at least it's being caught. The 100-minute complaint response by flying squads is a good initiative. Let's hope for peaceful and fair polls.

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