Raise cash carrying limit to Rs 2 lakh, traders urge CEO

The Vellore district administration put forward a demand from the local traders’ association to CEO (Chief Electoral officer) Sathyabratta Sahoo, that their exemption limit for carrying cash in areas where model poll is in effect, be raised from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakhs.

This follows a series of seizures in the last two days by flying squads and static surveillance teams from small traders which affected their livelihood. The election commission had asked public not to carry more than Rs 50,000 without supportingdocuments.

The traders are confused on the documents to be produced and state that their business needs cash to survive and relieve it from seizure. While more than Rs one lakh was seized from a mango merchant near Vellore, another Rs 1.25 lakh was seized from a Shankar (45) of Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh near Pernambut, while returning home from Koyambedu, Chennai.

Similarly, Rs 2 lakhs was seized from Mohammed Ijhas Ahamed of Vaniyambadi, who said they are wages for the staff in his industry in Pernambut. Though all three pleaded that their business depended on the cash, officials said they were helpless.

When asked the evidence a trader is expected to produce, the election officials said one can produce an affidavit from the nearest assistant returning officer or a letter from a bank official stating the reason for cash withdrawal.

When pointed out that both are impractical, officials said only the TN CEO could decide on the issue which sparked a glimmer of hope in the hearts of the traders.