NEW DELHI: There is good news for those contesting the poll battle in five states as the Election Commission on Wednesday requested the Reserve Bank of India to enhance the weekly cash withdrawal limit of candidates to Rs 2 lakh from the Rs 24,000.
It was felt that the limit of Rs 24, 000 fixed after demonetisation was not enough to meet the campaign expenditure.
The EC told RBI Governor Urjit Patel that it has been apprised of the problems candidates are facing due to withdrawal limits imposed after note ban. It said the returning officer of the constituency will issue certificate that the person is a candidate and he or she be allowed to withdraw Rs 2 lakh cash per week from the bank account opened specially to meet the expenses during campaign.
The EC has also said the facility be extended till March 11, the day of counting.
EC has already instructed that candidates are bound to open an election account for meeting poll-related expenditure which is monitored by the teams appointed by the poll panel.
The EC said with a weekly withdrawal limit of Rs 24,000, a candidate would be able to withdraw Rs 96,000 in cash during the election process which lasts 3 to 4 week. It reminded the Central bank that as per law, candidates contesting assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab can spend Rs 28 lakh for electioneering. The limit in Goa and Manipur is Rs 20 lakh.
The poll panel said that despite paying amounts through cheques, candidates still need hard cash for petty expenses. Also the "issue is further adversely effected" in rural areas where banking facilities are "negligible".