The CBIC Officers entrusted with larger Roles – More Flying squads to check warehouse, vehicles, restaurants, etc to support Election Commission

[Vivek Jalan]

Friends,

The Ministry of Finance has almost simultaneously allowed ED to share information with GSTN on the one hand and issued an SOP for the CBIC officers to get more involved in poll-vigilance as far as economic irregularities are noticed. Hence, the MoF has made its intention very clear. Every case of Economic irregularity will be dealt with by any and all agencies in close co-ordination with each other. The agencies will not be compartmentalised while dealing with financial irregularities. The CBICs officers would also now be involved in a larger role as per Instruction No. 22/2023-Customs on ‘SOP for stepping up vigilance during elections. The Pr. CC/ CC of Customs and CGST Zones and the Pr. ADGs/ ADGs of DRI and DGGSTI of zones would attend all the meetings called by the Chief Election Commissioner or Member(s) of the
Election Commissioner. Their responsibilities would be as follows –

A. They would monitor use of non-monetary inducements (sarees, shirts, caps, scarves, white goods,masks, kitchen items. etc.) and cash to lure voters, apprehending smuggled/ illicit and other goods

B. The DGARM shall carry out a special analytical study of items like sarees, shirts, caps, masks,scarves, white goods, kitchen items, dhotis, umbrella, T-Shirts, pagri, etc. to bring out the surge patterns to and within poll-bound States and the movement pattern and place of storage of such goods.

C. Using the DGARM reports, Flying Squads would identify and search warehouses used to stock goods for distribution to lure voters

D. Using the DGARM reports, Flying Squads would identify and detain vehicle used for cash movement etc.

E. To check unauthorized diversion of liquor, cigarettes etc. special watch/ stock-taking should be kept/ carried out in the Custom Bonded Warehouses;

F. Sale monitoring of petrol pumps to vehicles used during elections for canvassing through excise records. Also, they would do random audit of petrol pumps.

G. Extensive Investigation u/s 67 by GST teams of Restaurant/Eateries, Marriage Hall/Conference Hall/Farm Houses/Gardens, Shamiana, Tent House, Chair and Table providers, Slaughter House/Meat House in the poll bound area.

H. International border/ airports to increase checking for tracking the flow of foreign currency/ gold/ narcotics etc.
All this information should be disseminated to and from other enforcement agencies/departments and action taken thereon, through Nodal officers in each state by DRI/DGGI.

Hence, the message is loud and clear to the concerned – Beware!