In just a few weeks before the May 7 voting, there is already a mix of cash, drugs, alcohol, giveaways, astrology, and festivals being advertised in Goa. In the last approximately one month, i.e., starting from 1st to 13th April 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) seized liquor/alcohol valued at more than one lakh tiol, ₹15.64 crore in cash, drugs whose cost is ₹3.23 crore as well as ₹1.18 crore freebies.
Despite being the country’s smallest state with only two parliamentary seats (North Goa & South Goa), Goa has seen disproportionately higher seizures than other states. During the same period, cash seizures amounted to ₹6.5 crore in Gujarat, ₹11.28 crore in Delhi, ₹6.1 crore in Uttarakhand, and ₹1.47 crore in Odisha. Nagaland, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry have reported zero cash seizures.
The total haul of drugs by Goa, which is ₹3.23 crore, is significantly lower than the reported amounts of ₹485, ₹213, ₹280 and ₹293 crore by the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab and Tamil Nadu, respectively, as per the ECI – developed Election Seizure Management System.
Despite being a dry state, Gujarat and Bihar have witnessed significant alcohol seizures, with 760,062 litres and 845,758 litres seized, respectively, compared to Goa’s 101,446 litres.
Local newspapers in Goa are buzzing with reports of seizures, particularly alcohol, as Goa has become a hub for illegal alcohol transportation to neighboring states. Karnataka and Maharashtra authorities have intercepted several consignments of liquor originating from Goa at border checkpoints.
However, ECGS has declared the appropriation of precious metals in Goa. By any means the few details about the types of metals are not given. Throughout the last six weeks, the authorities have recovered precious metals worth a total of ₹3.8 crore for impounding.
Check here for the latest updates in Hindi!