An order in this regard was issued by the poll watchdog earlier this week to curb malpractices during elections of 10 big corporations including the richest ones like Mumbai, Thane, Pune, and Nashik where stakes are high.
Waging a war against malpractices ahead of elections in corporations and Zilla Parishad across Maharashtra, the state Election Commission has directed the authorities to keep a strict vigil on the movement of private helicopters, boats and yachts and their possible misuse for transport of illegal liquor and cash.
“All private flights, airports, creeks, sea and beaches and railway stations will be under watch to curb any possible use of these routes by political parties or candidates to smuggle and distribute alcohol or money among voters,” said an election official.
An order in this regard was issued by the poll watchdog earlier this week to curb malpractices during elections of 10 big corporations including the richest ones like Mumbai, Thane, Pune, and Nashik where stakes are high.
These corporations along with 25 Zilla Parishads in the state are going to polls next month. Considerable number of aspirants are financially well-off. This includes aspirants from political families belonging to all parties.
Helicopters and chartered planes are commonly used during elections as party leaders need to cover large and remote areas in a short period of time. Over 150 private choppers and 250 chartered planes are operating in India, says an industry expert.
Private boats, fishing trawlers, ferries and yachts will also be under the commision’s radar to trace suspected movements. The state has close to 720 km-long coast line. Over 30,000 fishing trawlers, 1,900 ferries and 200 yachts are registered in the state, say senior officials of Maritime Board and Fisheries Department. Some boats operate illegally as well.
“While road vehicles have always been intercepted to check movement of illicit money and liquor, private choppers and chartered planes were not on our radar until now,” says a senior official.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "BMC")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}