Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab V. K. Singh today presided over a meeting of all the Nodal officers of the state to take stock of the arrangements put in place for smooth conduct of the ensuing Vidhan Sabha Elections in the state.The meeting was attended by the Nodal officers of Police, Administration, Income Tax, Excise and Taxation of the districts of Barnala, Mansa, Moga, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana (Rural), Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali), Sangrur and Patiala.Addressing the Nodal Officers, Chief Electoral Officer Mr. V.K.Singh asked them to ensure that every vehicle including the official Police & government Vehicles and even the Ambulances passing through their jurisdiction is thoroughly checked at every checking point which has been permanently setup.Taking stringent steps to check supply of liquor, money or any items luring the voters before or during elections, Mr. Singh asked the Nodal officers to establish permanent Check Points and ensure that these Checking Points are properly maintained and every vehicle is thoroughly checked. He also said that to check the smuggling and easy flow of liquor at the inter-state barriers would be guarded by the Sniffer Dogs besides getting the video made of the entire checking process.
Addressing the Nodal Officers of the Excise and Taxation department, Mr. Singh asked them to forcibly check the illicit use of liquor during the elections by keeping a close watch on the Liquor factories and its distribution especially in the areas under their control. He said that CCTV would be installed in the Liquor godowns which would be under constant check. He also directed them to maintain brand wise stock registers of the liquor already in stock. The actual sale of previous year and the sale till date have got to be recorded, he said. He also said that the Country liquor should be completely prohibited.The Chief Electoral Officer asked the Co-ordination Committee to work in complete cohesion so that the Model Code of Conduct is forcefully implemented during the elections in the state. He also said that to facilitate the voters, training centres, Expenditure Control Rooms and Complaint centres are being set up in every district.Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included State Police Nodal Officer, Mr. V.K.Bhawra, ADGP Punjab Police, Nodal Officer Income Tax, Rohit Mehra and Nodal Officer for Excise and Taxation Department Gurtej Singh besides other officers of the Election office .