Three expenditure observers appointed

Jalandhar, January 21

To keep a tab on poll spending by candidates in their respective constituencies, the Election Commission has appointed three expenditure observers for Jalandhar district.

Deputy Commissioner Ghanshayam Thori said senior IRS officer Pradeep Kumar Meel had been deputed for Kartarpur, Jalandhar North and Admapur constituencies. Similarly, 2007 batch IRS officer Ayaz Ahmed Kohli has been appointed for Phillaur, Jalandhar Central and Jalandhar Cantt constituencies while 2007 batch IRS officer Satyapal Singh Meena will be expenditure observer for Nakodar, Shahkot and Jalandhar West constituencies. The district administration has also deputed different teams with these observers as liaison officers to facilitate them during the ongoing poll process.

As per directions of the Election Commission amid present Covid situation, these observers will interact with the authorities concerned and look into the works related to first visit virtually from the day of notifications. The DC said the second visit would be physical on the last day of making nominations besides staying in the district to monitor the expenditure related activities in their respective constituencies till the poll day i.e. February 20.

Thori said the observers would hold a detailed meeting with the district election officer, police officers, returning officers, nodal officer of the Income Tax Department and State Excise Department officials to take inputs from them on key points. Subsequently, meeting with AEOs and in charge of election expenditure monitoring teams names SST, MCMC, complaint monitoring cell etc. so that the directions of the EC could be ensured in all constituencies.

To examine spending

• Deputy Commissioner Ghanshayam Thori said senior IRS officer Pradeep Kumar Meel had been deputed for Kartarpur, Jalandhar North and Admapur constituencies.
• Similarly, 2007 batch IRS officer Ayaz Ahmed Kohli has been appointed for Phillaur, Jalandhar Central and Jalandhar Cantt constituencies while 2007 batch IRS officer Satyapal Singh Meena will be expenditure observer for Nakodar, Shahkot and Jalandhar West constituencies.