Gujarat Polls: EC Seizes 9.61 Lakh Litre of Liquor From Dry State Apart From Cash and Jewellery Worth Around Rs 10 Cr
Image Courtesy: UdaipurTimes.com
The Election Commission’s surveillance and expenditure monitering teams have so far seized 9.61 lakh lites of liquor, which is roughly valued at Rs 22.19 crore, from poll-bound Gujarat where prohibition is in force.
The EC teams have also confiscated illicit cash totalling Rs 1.71 crore, gold and jewellery worth more than Rs 8 crore.
According to the poll watchdog, its teams have seized 37.63 kg of gold and other precious metals valued at Rs 8.17 crore and 35 kg of narcotics worth Rs 3.5 lakh.
In addition, say the official data, foreign currency such as 30,000 Thai Baht (at least Rs 60,000) and 3,650 British Pounds (about Rs 3.11 lakh) have also been seized.
The EC has appointed about 100 election expenditure observers in Gujarat, apart from other central observers, to keep a check on black money and illegal inducements used to bribe voters.
Over 311 kg of bullion has been released by the surveillance teams post verification in the state as it was meant for genuine jewellery business.
“On an average, 7 kg of bullion is being intercepted daily at the airport in Rajkot, the jewellery manufacturing hub, and it is being released similarly post verification,” said an EC official.
The 182-member Gujarat Assembly will go to polls in two phases on December 9 and 14. The counting of votes is scheduled for December 18.
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