NEW DELHI: A cup of tea and a bread pakora for Rs 6, a plate of chhole bhature for Rs 37, and a vegetarian thali for Rs 80. These are the rates fixed by the Election Commission for the candidates in the fray for the Lok Sabha polls in the national capital.
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Delhi, has approved a rate chart of over 100 items the candidates would use during public meetings and campaign trails.
According to officials, the list would be enforced post-nomination and finalisation of the candidates. A gazette notification is expected by the month’s end wherein candidates would be informed about the same.
The list of items includes hiring charges for vehicles, hoarding sites, tent items, and booking rooms in two to five-star hotels.
Renting vehicles has specific rates: bikes cost Rs 61 per day, e-rickshaws to be hired at Rs 738, and cars for Rs 1,476. The maximum candidates can spend hiring a horse is Rs 3,075 for a day, while for an elephant, the charges must not exceed Rs 6,150.
Room tariff at four & five-star properties has been decided for Rs 6,150 per day, Rs 3,690 for 3-star hotels and Rs 1,968 for two-star hotels, excluding the taxes.
However, drivers can’t be hired for less than Rs 17,234 monthly and Rs 673 on daily wages. Officials said the candidates would have to adhere to costs mentioned in the list against the items.
“It was finalised after consultation with representatives of various political parties,” a senior election official said.
These costs, fixed by the district election department, add to the political party’s overall spending, which cannot exceed Rs 95 lakh per Lok Sabha constituency.
WHAT’S ON MENU
Cup of tea, bread pakora: Rs 6
Chhole bhature/plate: Rs 37
Renting bikes/day: Rs 61
e-rickshaws: Rs 738
Cars: Rs 1,476
4 & 5-star hotel tariff: Rs 6,150/day
3-star hotels: Rs 3,690
2-star hotels: Rs 1,968
Minimum cost for hiring drivers monthly: Rs 17,234
Drivers on daily wages: Rs 673