Chennai: Unaccounted cash seizures in poll bound Tamil Nadu reached an unprecedented amount of Rs 100 crore on Wednesday. With raids and seizures continuing at the residences of AIADMK and DMK party men, the seized amount will be an all-time high in the history of any state Indian elections.
With income tax department leading from the front and additional squads
comprising central paramilitary staff joining the raids the seizures going by daily records are likely to be a whopping Rs 120 crore, a top official on poll duty said recalling that the election machinery seized Rs 25 crore in 2014 Lok Sabha polls and Rs 35 crore in 2011 assembly polls.
During the first week of March, when the model code of conduct came into effect the cash seizures were started and the seizures showed an increasing trend after the district collectors intensified the drive.
But by April, the seizures again slipped due to awareness among public and traders and it was during this period that cash were returned to traders and public after they furnished valid documents.
Ever since the nominations began on April 22, the raids by income tax department and the seizures by flying squads have been increasing.
Now with those affiliated to political parties being scanned the seizures will increase further, the official noted.
More than 6,000 flying and static surveillance squads are pressed into service to check model code of conduct and besides the seizure of freebies are yet to be accounted and this will again run in to crores, chief electoral officer Rajesh Lakhoni told reporters.
So far, the poll officials have returned cash to an estimate of Rs 37 crore and more such returns and seizures are expected. With the next few days being more crucial all the district election officials instructed to add additional flying squads till the polling is over, Lakhoni added.
