SHILLONG, March 30 - With Meghalaya having 22 expenditure sensitive Assembly constituencies, the Expenditure Observers are being extra vigilant and has so far seized a huge amount of cash from different parts of the State.
On Friday, the Static Surveillance Team (SST) seized Rs 30 lakh from a person from Mynso village, Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills district under Shillong Lok Sabha constituency. Several liquor bottles were also seized.
According to Chief Electoral Officer, FR Kharkongor, the apprehended person claimed that the cash was on him for the purchase of a Shaktiman truck. These trucks are used for ferrying coal in the coal-rich belt of the district.
The CEO said after the confiscation of the cash an investigation has been instituted, which is being monitored by the District Election Officer (DEO.)
In the past few days similar seizures were reported from other parts of the State. Last week, the BSF seized Rs 20 lakh in South West Khasi Hills district.
An amount of Rs 2.5 lakh was seized in East Garo Hills district. Another Rs 3 lakh in cash was seized in South West Garo Hills district recently.
According to the CEO, the Expenditure Observers are working round the clock in different parts of the State. According to officials several of these expenditure sensitive constituencies are in Jaintia Hills districts. Two expenditure sensitive constituencies in East Khasi Hills are South Shillong and Mawsynram.
Apart from the Expenditure Observers, Income Tax officials, DEOs and SSTs are also working together to keep a tab on unaccounted cash flow during the elections. As the model code of conduct has come into force, individuals can carry cash not more than Rs 50,000, the CEO said.
