Flying squads and static surveillance teams deployed in Thanjavur district

With the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) having come into force ahead of the Assembly polls, 72 flying squad teams (FSTs) and an equal number of static surveillance teams (SSTs) have been formed in Thanjavur district.

Collector B. Priyanka Pankajam, while addressing the media here on Monday, said nine FSTs and an equal number of SSTs have been formed for each of the eight Assembly constituencies in the district to monitor and check distribution of cash or gifts. Three teams each would maintain vigil in each constituency on eight-hour shifts on rotational basis round-the-clock. Besides, a videographing team has been constituted in each constituency to record the expenditure incurred by the contesting candidates, she said.

Members of the public need not produce any documents for carrying cash of up to ₹50,000. A District Grievance Committee has been constituted under the Collector to release the seized cash and other goods after due inquiry on production of relevant documents by the claimants, she said.

Eighty-four of the 2,496 polling booths in the district have been identified as sensitive and teams comprising election and police officials would take appropriate steps to ease the situation in the respective areas.

Complaints with respect to violations of the Model Code of Conduct can be lodged with the Control Room established at the Collector’s Office or the toll-free number 1800-425-9464 or the Cvigil mobile App. Complaints would be attended to within 100 minutes of being received and officers have been assigned to monitor the complaints, she said.