Chief Electoral Officer meets airport authorities

The Hindu
NEW DELHI, October 15, 2013
Staff Reporter

Flying into the Capital with more than Rs.10 lakh in cash and over a kilogram gold can lead to scrutiny by the Election Commission. With the model code of conduct in full force in the city, the Chief Electoral Officer met with various airport authorities on Monday, including the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Bureau of Civil Aviation, CISF and Delhi Police, to look into suspicious transactions through the air route. “Basically, the meeting was to ensure that all directions laid down by the Election Commission of India are adhered to and there is no flow of arms and ammunitions, contraband substances, more than Rs.10 lakh in cash or over one kg of gold into the city,” said Chief Electoral Officer Vijay Dev.

Info. on flights

“We have also requested regular information on chartered flights taken by politicians through which money and other goods may be brought through and have asked for flight plans,” he added. Similarly, the CISF have been given strict instructions to scrutinise packages.

The airport authorities and security agencies have been asked to seize and confiscate any suspicious item and immediately intimate the Electoral Office. “They have been told not to release information on anything seized without intimating us,” said Mr. Dev.

The CEO has also roped in the Income Tax Department and the Excise Department to keep a vigil at the airport.