District Level Committees Facilitate Cash Return, I-T Department Steps In for Higher Seizures During Assembly Elections

TFP Bureau Report; Nov 4, 2023 – In the midst of the Assembly general elections and the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct in the state, the Flying Squad Team (FST) and Static Surveillance Team (SST) have been seizing amounts less than ten lakh rupees. These seizures are managed by district-level committees to ensure swift and transparent processing, aiming to alleviate inconvenience for the public and those genuinely requiring transportation of money.

Each district has established a committee comprising the Chief Executive Officer of the District Panchayat, the Nodal Officer for expenditure monitoring in the District Election Office, and the District Treasury Officer. This committee addresses cases involving seizures below ten lakh rupees that aren’t linked to candidates, political parties, or election campaigns.

However, amounts exceeding ten lakh rupees seized by FST and SST prompt the involvement of the Income Tax Department. The department processes refunds in accordance with the law. In cases where no FIR or complaint is registered, or if the seizure isn’t tied to any election-related entities, the committee may swiftly issue a release order for the cash, following a thorough examination of confiscation cases.

The Election Commission of India has instructed immediate reporting of cash seizures to the District Level Committee. It’s mandated that cases of seized cash or valuables must not linger in the Malkhana or Treasury for over seven days post-election unless an FIR or complaint is lodged. The Returning Officer bears the responsibility of presenting these cases to the Appellate Committee for resolution and subsequent release of seized cash and valuables in adherence to the committee’s directives.