Officials of the Central Industrial Security Force, Airports Authority of India and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security will maintain surveillance over the movement of aircraft and helicopters at airports, airstrips and helipads to curb illicit circulation of cash during the Lok Sabha polls.

Sources said sleuths of the income tax department would also be posted at airports and keep vigil on the movement of cash at airports. “The operators of all private aircraft and helicopters have been directed to declare the contents of the baggage and suitcases carried on the flights to the I-T department, the chief electoral officers of the states, district poll officers as well as the state police,” said a CISF official.

The move, he said, is aimed to prevent illicit cash. “The aim is to keep a strict vigil on the movement of cash through all airports. Personnel of CISF and I-T have been directed to extend all requisite cooperation for checking and surveillance activities,” a Union home ministry official said.

Sources said the Air Traffic Control (ATC) would share the records of all scheduled commercial flights, private aircraft and helicopters with the chief electoral officers of the states and the district election officers. It would also share the travel plan of chartered aircraft and helicopters as early as possible, preferably half an hour in advance.

Officers of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security will conduct surprise inspections of these airports.