Chief Electoral Officer holds consultations with STF & Narcotics Bureau officers

5 Dariya News

Chandigarh 23-Mar-2019

In view of the Lok Sabha elections, the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Dr. S. Karuna Raju today held a meeting with the officers of the STF and the Narcotics Bureau.The Chief Electoral Officer said that often the allegations surface that the candidates in the poll fray use money and drugs to entice the voters which is direct violation of the model code of conduct.Dr. Raju further said that the Special Task Force (STF) already working in the state and the Narcotics Bureau should be all the more vigilant during the period of model code of conduct and must register an FIR pertaining to any issue surfacing besides adding the sections of the Representation of People’s Act.On the occasion, the officers of STF and Narcotics Bureau apprised the Chief Electoral Officer that the personnel of their departments are engaged at the ground level to ensure observance of the model code of conduct. An officer from the STF said that they taking the assistance from the DAPO and BUDDY programme volunteers in order to generate awareness amongst all the sections of the society against drug abuse.The Chief Electoral Officer also added that the officers of the STF, Narcotics Bureau and the Drug Control Bureau must work in complete unison and coordination so as to stop the use of drugs during the polls.Dr. Raju also disclosed that a committee has been constituted at the Tehsil level under the stewardship of the A.R.O. cum S.D.M. to sensitize the medical store owners with regard to the matter and the committee would evaluate the ground situation regarding drugs on a weekly basis.The Chief Electoral Officer also gave orders for keeping tabs on the drug situation especially in Bathinda, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Mansa from where reports often emerge regarding seizure of opium and poppy husk. He also formed a coordination committee comprising officers from the STF, Narcotics Bureau and the Drug Control Bureau which would review weekly report.