DRUGS, CASH AND OTHER VALUABLES WORTH RS. 321.51 CRORE SEIZED SINCE ENFORCEMENT OF MCC IN PUNJAB: CEO SIBIN C

- Amritsar leads with seizures worth Rs. 60.3 crores

- CEO emphasizes Fair Conduct of Elections amidst Punjab's Seizure Spree

Chandigarh, April 25:In an endeavor to preserve the sanctity of the electoral process, enforcement agencies in Punjab have conducted extensive operations, resulting in the confiscation of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals and freebies valued at Rs 321.51 crore since the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the Lok Sabha elections on March 16, till date.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C revealed that the seizures comprised cash totaling Rs. 6.89 crores, 22.8 lakh liters of liquor valued at Rs. 14.93 crores, drugs valued at Rs. 287.23 crores, precious metals amounting to Rs. 11.37 crores, and freebies valued at Rs. 1.09 crores, totaling Rs. 321.51 crores.

He informed that 24 enforcement agencies are actively operating in the state. Among these, major seizures have been made by the Punjab Police amounting to Rs. 276.19 crores, followed by the Border Security Force at Rs. 22.85 crores, State Excise Department Rs. 7.21 crores, State Goods and Service Tax Department Rs. 5 crores, Customs Department Rs.4.37 crores, Income Tax Department Rs. 4.08 crores and Narcotics Control Bureau Rs. 1.76 crores.

Among the districts Amritsar topped the list with total seizures made worth Rs. 60.3 crores, followed by Tarn Taran with Rs. 53.74 crores, Firozpur with Rs. 49.34 crores, and Fazilka with Rs. 41.71 crores.

Other districts with significant seizures include Ludhiana Rs. 25.42 crores, Pathankot Rs. 21.4 crores, Jalandhar Rs. 17.34 crores, Sangrur Rs. 11 crores, Gurdaspur Rs. 10.38 crores, Kapurthala Rs. 6.02 crores, Hoshiarpur Rs. 4.89 crores, Bathinda Rs. 3.94 crores, and Shahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar Rs. 3.90 crores.

Furthermore, Barnala recorded seizures worth Rs. 2.2 crores, Moga Rs. 2.05 crores, Patiala Rs. 1.47 crores, Rupnagar Rs. 1.33 crores, Sri Muktsar Sahib Rs. 1.26 crores, Mansa Rs. 1 crore, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar Rs. 81.8 lakhs, Malerkotla Rs. 70 Lakhs, Faridkot Rs. 67 Lakhs and Fatehgarh Sahib Rs. 59 Lakhs.

The Chief Electoral Officer reiterated the commitment of entire staff to ensure the conduct of fair and peaceful elections in the state, in adherence to the directives of the Election Commission of India.Emphasizing the paramount importance of integrity and transparency in the electoral process, he underscored the tireless efforts of all personnel involved in upholding democratic principles. With unwavering dedication, they remain steadfast in their resolve to safeguard the sanctity of the democratic process and uphold the trust of the electorate

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PVS SPEAKER KULTAR SINGH SANDHWAN CONDOLES DEMISE OF SURJIT SINGH MINHAS

Chandigarh, April 25:The Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker, S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate demise of former Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Surjit Singh Minhas.

In a press communique issued here, Speaker Sandhwan said that S. Surjit Singh Minhas served as Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Irrigation, and Power Departments of Punjab. He said that S. Minhas was elected Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly on June 2, 1986. He was actively involved in various political movements and participated in numerous political, religious, and educational conferences.

S. Sandhwan added that S. Minhas will always be remembered with respect for the memorable services he rendered for the welfare of Punjab and its people.

The Speaker prayed to the almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and provide strength to the family.

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VIGILANCE BUREAU ARRESTS PATWARI ACCEPTING RS 10,000 BRIBE FOR MUTATION OF LAND

Chandigarh, April 25, 2024 - The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Thursday has arrested Ripudaman Singh, posted as Patwari in revenue halqua Gumanpura circle in Amritsar.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above mentioned revenue official has been arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by Sukhdev Singh, a resident of village Gumanpura, Amritsar.

He further informed that the above said complainant has approached the VB and alleged that said the accused has demanded Rs 10,000 for registering mutation (Inteqal) of his land in revenue records. The spokesperson informed that after a preliminary inquiry the VB team laid a trap in which the above said accused was caught red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.

He added that in this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused at VB Police Station, Amritsar Range. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigation into this case was under progress, he said.

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VIGILANCE BUREAU NABS SENIOR ASSISTANT FOR TAKING RS 20,000 BRIBE

Accused previously received Rs 20,000 in bank account

Chandigarh, April 25, 2024 - The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Thursday has apprehended a Senior Assistant, Amandeep Singh, posted in the office of District Social Justice and Empowerment Officer, Ludhiana district red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above mentioned accused has been arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by Satish Kumar, a resident of village Kishanpura in Derabassi tehsil, SAS Nagar.

He further informed that the said complainant has approached the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of VB Ludhiana unit and alleged that the said employee had demanded Rs one lakh to favour his daughter regarding verification of her caste certificate. He further informed that the said accused has previously taken Rs 20,000 from him into his bank account through Yono App and demanding the remaining balance of bribe.

The spokesperson informed that after a preliminary inquiry about this complaint the VB team of EOW lad a trap during which the said accused was caught red handed while accepting second instalment of bribe of Rs 20,000 in the presence of two official witnesses.

He added that in this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused at VB police station EOW Ludhiana unit. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigation into this case was under progress.