Cash, liquor worth Rs 6.79 cr recovered in Faridabad district since imposition of model code
Despite the claims of strict vigil and supervision by authorities, the supply and availability of liquor, cash and other items to woo voters seems to be continuing.
The authorities have recovered Rs 5.88 crore so far and seized liquor and other items worth over Rs 91 lakh since the imposition of the model code of conduct in the district. The recovery of huge amounts of cash and liquor points towards the rise in such activity, even though checking of the movement of such goods has been increased, said sources.
Subhash Sharma, a political analyst, said the measures to check the supply or availability of banned items had not been foolproof as those engaged in campaign tend to adopt novel methods to evade detection. Instead of supplying liquor at the doorstep, interested persons reportedly get it from designated vends on the production of coupons issued to them.
Sometimes code words are used, while at other times, blank and coloured coupons may also be used to define the quantity of liquor to be issued at the selected vends.
Varun Sheokand, a resident, said slum areas and colonies housing the poor or low-income background persons had been the spots where such attractions were offered. He said a representative selected from a particular area could be the main coordinator between the givers and receivers for such work.
The recovery of liquor and cash worth crores led to apprehensions that voters from certain categories were vulnerable and the claims of holding the elections in a free and fair manner seemed to be only on papers, said AK Gaur, a resident.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the district administration said tight vigil and swift action on the part of the authorities had led to the recovery of Rs 5.88 crore. He said while over 13,176 litres of illicit liquor worth Rs 55.27 lakh had been seized, narcotics worth Rs 4.25 lakh and other items worth Rs 30 lakh had also been seized. This included the recovery of Rs 2.84 crore from three persons on Thursday.
DC-cum-District Election Officer Vikram Singh said proper and tight monitoring was on to ensure the compliance of rules regarding the code of conduct and strict action would be taken against any violation.
