Jamshedpur Lok Sabha polls: Expenditure monitoring team to take action against illegal transportation of cash, liquor

Jamshedpur: The administration has instructed the expenditure monitoring team to be active 24X7, no gift items including cash, liquor or food should be distributed at any place and strict action against illegal transportation of liquor, drugs, gift items through check naka. Instructions were given.

In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, District Election Officer  Ananya Mittal convened a pivotal meeting with senior and in-charge officers of all operational cells to review the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the crucial final 72 hours before voting commences. The meeting was held in the Collectorate Auditorium, with significant attendance from key officials including Deputy Development Commissioner  Manish Kumar, PD IDTA  Dipankar Chaudhary, Civil Surgeon Dr. Jujhar Majhi, ADM Law and Order  Ananth Kumar, and Additional Deputy Commissioner  Rohit Sinha, among others.

Mittal directed the police and administration officials for additional coordination and communication to maintain law and order and said that monitoring should be done by setting up appropriate checkpoints. Voters should not be tempted under any circumstances, take immediate action if any such activity is found. Remained active in FST field. Vehicles should be checked intensively, not a single vehicle should remain without checking.

The meeting meticulously covered the necessary arrangements to be implemented at the Co-operative College and the dispatch center at LBSM College. Specific attention was given to the provision of facilities for polling parties, ensuring these are ready by the evening of May 22.  Mittal emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness, ensuring the availability of drinking water, and preparing reserve mobile toilets. He also mandated that polling personnel be provided with essential materials and ORS packets to combat heat-related issues.

A detailed review of the labor deployment plan at the dispatch centers was conducted.  Mittal instructed that bank stalls be set up to handle complaints related to the polling party, manage vehicle tagging, and facilitate the payment to polling personnel. The timely updating of estimated voting percentages on Encore was also highlighted as a priority for polling day. The installation and operational readiness of cameras for webcasting were assessed, with a directive to ensure completion on schedule.

For effective monitoring, control rooms at both district and block levels are to be operational from 3 pm on May 24 until the conclusion of voting and the safe return of polling parties to the strong room.  Mittal stressed the importance of continuous vigilance by the expenditure monitoring team to prevent illegal activities, including the transportation of cash, liquor, drugs, and gift items. Immediate actions are to be taken based on information received in the control room, with the team remaining active around the clock.

 Mittal directed enhanced coordination between police and administrative officials to uphold law and order, with strategic checkpoints established for thorough vehicle inspections. He reiterated the necessity of preventing voter inducement and urged immediate action against any such attempts.

The meeting was attended by a broad spectrum of officials, including Executive Magistrate  David Balihar, Special Division Officer  Mahendra Kumar, Director NEP  Ajay Sao, Additional Municipal Commissioner of Mango Municipal Corporation  Ranjit Lohra, Deputy Municipal Commissioner of JNAC  Krishna Kumar, DTO  Dhananjay, Deputy Election Officer  Priyanka Singh, SDO Dhalbhum  Parul Singh, District Public Relations Officer  Panchanan Oraon, DIO  Kishore Prasad, Assistant Director of Social Security  Neha Sanjana Khalkho, and other concerned officers.