Caught between EC, RBI restrictions

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 18

When some enthusiastic party activists ordered 10 garlands of marigold for an election rally, they decided to make the payment by cheque. “Mein 10 haar lai thoda cheque levanga (I will not accept cheque payment for 10 garlands),” reacted the vendor angrily. They had to leave without the garlands. 

As directed by the Election Commission (EC), every candidate has had to open a bank account exclusively for the purpose of election expenditure and communicate the account number in writing to the Returning Officer (RO).

The maximum limit on election expenses is Rs 28 lakh per candidate, but owing to the restrictions placed on cash withdrawals post-demonetisation, the candidates will actually be able to withdraw a maximum of Rs 72,000 in the next three weeks — too little to run a campaign, some would say.

Candidates complain they have faced problems even serving tea and renting tables and chairs. Vikramjit Chauhan, covering candidate for his father and SAD’s Nabha candidate, has had to use his debit card for small payments. “We need to fuel our vehicles for our campaign tour tomorrow. I have yet to receive my cheque book, and the expenditure is piling,” he says anxiously.

“I will be paying through draft or cheque to the caterer, tent house, petrol station, taxi drivers and rickshawallahs as well as for tea and samosas,” says a harried candidate.

Congress candidate from Patiala (Rural) Brahm Mohindra, who has made a representation to the EC to allow the candidates to withdraw more money, says paying by cheque for every service is just not possible.

Local residents, back from a rally, disagree.  “When the common man has withstood the shocks of demonetisation, why should there be an exception for politicians?” they ask.

Meanwhile, the EC has asked the investigation directorate of the Income Tax Department to open intelligence units at airports of poll-bound states to track the movement of large sums of money. Caught between EC and RBI restrictions, it does appear to be a tightrope walk for the candidates in fray.