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.