Election spending: These industries are raking in the moolah

[caption id=“attachment_81968” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] Earlier this week, India began the biggest voting exercise in the world. Campaigning by political parties and candidates has reached fever pitch and a host of industries have benefited as a result. Total spending on the elections - by the government, candidates and political parties – is estimated at a whopping Rs 30,000 crore. Click on the slides to see some of the biggest beneficiaries. Image: Reuters[/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_81951” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] Alcohol: The liquor industry benefits tremendously during the elections, but the effect is usually short term. According to an Economic Times report, liquor production could increase by as much as 10-15 percent in the run-up to elections, as well immediately after elections. In fact, political parties are known to store substantial quantities of liquor much ahead of polls to distribute to voters later after counting is over. Image: Reuters[/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_81953” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] Tourism: Election is also ringing in cash for India’s tourism trade as tour operators and hoteliers are promoting new theme-based holiday packages around elections, reports IANS. Advertised as the ‘Kumbh Mela’ of elections, tour operators, online sales agents, speciality and niche guide-tour firms are cashing in on the five-week-long election polling exercise. Ahmedabad-based firm Election Tourism India, which started to sell niche packages during Gujarat assembly polls in 2012, is expecting to attract around 2,000 foreigners for the 2014 general elections. Image: Reuters[/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_81954” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] Transport also rakes in big moolah. Candidates hire vehicles for their campaigns, which means the number of taxis, buses, autos and trucks hired during elections go up by a significant number. This has a spill over affect on fuel as well as the salaries of drivers, who end up raking in a lot of money during these months. Image: Reuters[/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_81955” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] Campaign materials: Campaign material like vinyl box posters, flex, paper posters, cut-outs, banners, flags, handbills, kites, caps and umbrellas printed with party symbols are top draws among the parties during the elections. Traders, in fact, tell PTI that they find it really difficult to cope with the bulk orders. Image: Reuters[/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_81956” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] Digital marketing: Election campaigning by political parties on the social media sphere is likely to significantly boost revenues of digital platforms. An Assocham study revealed that of the nearly Rs 4,000-5,000 crore total advertisement and publicity spend, the digital platforms can expect to garner at least Rs 400-500 crore. The study also said that Google and social networking websites like Twitter and Facebook can expect their India revenue to rise substantially this year with political parties spending more money on digital media than previous elections. Image: Reuters[/caption]

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Private security: More than two lakh gun-toting paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the country to ensure a smooth and violent-free polling process. There’s also government provided security to the politicians. Apart from that, politicians also hire other security guards from private service providers. Image: Reuters[/caption]