EC relaxes cash seizure norms in election-bound Gujarat

Ahmedabad: Election Commission today relaxed the norms for enforcement of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) with regards to seizure of more than Rs 2.5 lakh cash in transit. “Election Commission has decided to put farmers and business enterprises in the exemption category for the enforcement of the norms for carrying Rs 2.5 lakh or more cash while in transit,” said Chief Election Officer, Ahmedabad Vijay Nehra today while addressing the media here. [caption id=“attachment_503093” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Image used for representation purpose. Reuters[/caption] “From now on, farmers and business enterprises will be allowed to go, if they will show even one legal document for the validity of the cash they are carrying,” Nehra said. On producing self-attested format-A, Executive Magistrate who would be accompanying Static Surveillance Team will now be authorised to allow these farmers and businessmen to carry cash even if it is more than stipulated Rs 2.50 lakh, he added. To curtail the misuse of cash during electioneering Election Commission has, as part of MCC, made compulsory to carry ample evidences of the legality of the cash, if someone is transferring more than Rs 2.50 lakh and only after the satisfaction of the IT officer, present at the spot, they will be allowed to go. Since the MCC came into force from early this month flying squads and static surveillance teams of Election Commission had intercepted crores of rupees at various places in the state. This became instrumental in widespread resentment from the business and trade community. Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and ASSOCHAM also made representations with EC to postpone the strict enforcement till the festival season is over. Two Public Interest Litigation (PILs) were also filed in Gujarat High Court, hearing on which is pending. PTI