Punjab polls: Election Commission enhances cash carrying limit to Rs 2.50 lakh

CHANDIGARH:Relenting to the business community's demand, the Election Commission has enhanced the limit of carrying cash from 1 lakh to 2.50 lakh during the period when model code of conduct is in force.

EC had recently banned carrying of more than 1 lakh in cash if it was unaccounted in view of Punjab Assembly elections. Around 4 crore has been seized across the state since the poll schedule were announced.

However, the traders across Punjab, especially from hosiery sector, feel it's still on the lower side and that the condition should be waived off.

The order led to harassment of people across the state and had drawn protests from various quarters, including traders.

Announcing the new directions special chief electoral officer Punjab Usha R Sharma told reporters on Friday that the intentions of the Election Commission were clear that black money should not be used during the Assembly elections in the state.

She made it clear that the persons will have to carry relevant documents disclosing the source and use of the money they were carrying. Sharma said the Election Commission has asked for a panel of police officers to replace Police Commissioner, Ludhiana, Sharad Satya Chauhan who joined on July 24, 2011.

APEX Chamber of Commerce (Punjab) has written a letter to chief election commissioner SY Quraishi in this regard. "Ludhiana is known for hosiery business. In this winter season customers from outside Punjab come to Ludhiana to buy hosiery in bulk and hence they have to carry heavy cash," the chamber of commerce president P D Sharma said.