The EC questioned the absence of a Narcotics Advisory Committee in West Bengal, directing immediate corrective action.
The Poll panel has clearly told all enforcement agencies that there will be zero tolerance for lapses in election-related law and order or monitoring of illegal activities, a source said.
When Director General of Police (DGP-law and order) Vineet Goyal attempted to respond, he was asked to ensure immediate corrective steps. Goyal was also told the poll body knew about his conduct pretty well
Gyanesh Kumar also questioned the role of the RBI, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Income Tax Department (I-T) during the meeting. The Commission had expected these agencies to play a more proactive role in preventing illegal financial transactions and the misuse of technology ahead of the elections.
Officials from around 24 state and central agencies attended the meeting. The Commission warned that assuming its monitoring would last only a month and a half during the election period would be a serious mistake.
The CEC made it clear that proven deliberate irregularities or negligence would result in strict action.
Vineet Goyal has courted controversy earlier too. As the then Kolkata Police Commissioner he had apologised (in 2025) to the Calcutta High Court for unintentionally revealing the RG Kar rape-murder victim's name.
The court accepted the apology but stressed the need for caution in sensitive cases. The bench reiterated that such conduct by a senior cop was/is inappropriate, and it emphasised the need for institutional caution moving forward.
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The West Bengal excise department has been instructed to prevent increased production and distribution of intoxicants and illegal liquor production.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been directed to monitor financial transactions to prevent the use of black money to influence voters.
District election officers presented preparedness plans, highlighting challenges in border districts.
Stepping up antagonism with the West Bengal Govt; Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Monday (March 9) warned that any lapse in maintaining law and order in the run up to assembly elections would not be tolerated.
The issues Narcotics Advisory Committee came up at the meeting of the full bench of the Election Commission with senior state administrative and police and law enforcement officials to assess preparedness for the assembly elections scheduled to be held in April.
The EC cautioned state authorities that any negligence in maintaining law and order or ensuring free and fair elections would invite strict action.
According to the officials, the CEC sought an explanation from the state police on why West Bengal does not have a Narcotics Advisory Committee like other states. The full EC panel is on a visit to the state where polls are due along with Assam, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
During Monday's meeting in Kolkata, the district election officers and superintendents of police from various districts also made presentations on the preparedness in their respective jurisdictions.
They gave detailed presentations on the challenges they face and the measures being taken to address them, particularly in districts that share borders with other states and Bangladesh.
The SIR issue remains a major bone of contention between the EC and the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress.
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