TMI BlogStandard Operating Procedure for stepping up of Preventive Vigilance Mechanism by the jurisdictional CBIC field formations and to prevent flow of suspicious cash, illicit liquor, drugs/narcotics, freebies and smuggled goods during electionsX X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... o prevent flow of suspicious cash, illicit liquor, drugs/narcotics, freebies and smuggled goods during elections-reg. Election Commission of India (ECI) has highlighted that the election expenditure monitoring mechanism, with its two thrust areas of keeping track of the legal expenditure incurred by the candidates and the political parties, requires coordination among the various expenditure monitoring teams and the various law enforcement agencies. ECI has also expressed concern that smuggled goods/contrabands and other illicit articles may be used to lure the voters during the election process, which would need to be checked by the law enforcement agencies including those of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). Another aspect that would require focused attention is the use of non-monetary inducements and cash to lure voters, which too would need to be checked by keeping strict vigil on warehouses etc. to prevent the stocking of such goods for distribution. 2. Additionally, ECI has stressed on the importance of coordinated and focused attention including proper sharing of information by the field formations of CBIC and all other agencies concerned for ens ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... appointed Nodal Officer in his/her office, be responsible for: i. Collating the prescribed reports (and other reports such as report of a serious/ grave nature) and sending the same on a daily basis to ECI with a copy marked to Commissioner (Investigation-Customs), CBIC at email id inv-customs@gov.in and Commissioner (Investigation-GST), CBIC at email id gstinv-cbic@gov.in by 9:30 AM on the following day and; ii. Coordinating the efforts with other agencies such as Income Tax, etc. 2.5 Pr. DG, DRI and Pr. DG, DGGSTI shall: i. Establish a Central Control Room at Hqrs. and a Control Room in each State/ UT concerned. They shall also designate a Nodal officer at Hqrs. and in each State/ UT concerned. The State-wise information of the Control Room(s) and Nodal officer(s) with full contact details would be shared with each other and Pr. Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs, Customs (Prev.) and CGST Zones concerned. The consolidated details/ list would also be circulated directly by the Pr. DG, DRI and Pr. DG, DGGSTI to other enforcement agencies and ECI with a copy marked to Commissioner (Investigation-Customs.), CBIC and Commissioner (Investigation-GST), CBI ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ractices that may be related to elections. All out efforts should be made to detect and seize illicit currency, liquor, gold, FICN, NDPS and other contraband. 2.10 Detections made and results achieved are to be reported daily by the Customs, Customs (Prev.) and CGST Zones and DGGSTI Zonal Units concerned, to the Nodal Officer of DRI Hqrs. in their State in the prescribed format attached as Annexure-A . As aforementioned at clause 2.4, Pr. ADG/ ADG, DRI concerned shall then furnish a consolidated report for the State to the ECI with a copy marked to Commissioner (Investigation-Customs), CBIC at email id inv-customs@gov.in and Commissioner (Investigation-GST), CBIC at email id gstinv-cbic@gov.in. 3. The Directorate General of Analytics and Risk Management (DGARM) shall carry out a special analytical study of items (sarees, shirts, caps, masks, scarves, white goods, kitchen items, etc.) that might be associated with the candidate or political party in the poll-bound assembly or constituency and could be used as an inducement for votes in the said States. The study should bring out the surge patterns to and within these States and the movement pattern and place of storage of suc ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... es. iv. Wherever such goods mentioned at paras 5(i), 5(ii) and 5(iii) are found to be linked to the canvassing process or for use during election, the cost of such goods should be communicated to Pr. DG, DRI/ DGGSTI along with the District Election Officer and Returning Officer with a copy to the ECI Observers for their further necessary action. v. Account for expenditure on food, hotels, parties, tent house etc. during the election process by the candidates and parties. a. Extensive Checking by GST teams of Restaurant/Eateries, Marriage Hall/Conference Hall/Farm Houses/Gardens, Shamiana, Tent House, Chair and Table providers, Slaughter House/Meat House in the poll bound area. Due procedure of search/inspection under Section 67 of CGST Act,2017 may be followed while conducting checking at any suspected premises. b. Wherever services availed are found to be linked to the canvassing process or for use during election, the cost of such good should be communicated to the District Election Officer and Returning Officer with copy to the ECI Observers for their necessary action. 6. The DRI should increase its vigil along the international border/ airports and its i ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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