Srinagar: Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have confiscated a significant amount of cash, liquor, drugs, and other inducements totaling over ₹ 4 crore in anticipation of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, announced the Election Commission of India on Monday.

The Election Commission is on course to achieve the highest-ever recorded seizures of inducements in the 75-year history of Lok Sabha elections in the country. The total value of seizures amounts to ₹ 4650 crores, marking a notable increase of ₹ 175 crore compared to the 2019 elections.

According to data from the EC, the seized items in Jammu and Kashmir include cash amounting to ₹ 1.2 crores, liquor valued at ₹ 63 lakh, drugs totaling ₹ 2.35 crores, precious metals worth ₹ 25,800 crores, and freebies and miscellaneous items valued at ₹ 5.59 lakh.

The total value of seizures in Jammu and Kashmir alone is estimated at ₹ 4.2 crore. In contrast, the lowest seizure among all states and union territories was reported in Ladakh, with items worth ₹ 11,580 being confiscated, including liquor.

The Election Commission has reiterated its commitment to continue its crackdown on illicit inducements leading up to the Lok Sabha polls. Despite ranking 30th among the 36 states and Union territories in terms of seizures, Jammu and Kashmir remains under close scrutiny.

Enforcement agencies have already made record seizures exceeding ₹ 4650 crores as part of the Election Commission's determined efforts to combat the influence of money power even before the commencement of the first phase of polling for the 18th Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to begin on Friday.

This surge in seizures represents a significant increase from the ₹ 3,475 crores confiscated during the entire Lok Sabha election in 2019. Notably, 45 per cent of the seized items comprise drugs and narcotics, which have been a special focus area for the Commission.

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