AHMEDABAD: Bowing to the reality of inflation, the Election Commission has increased the candidate expenditure limit for 2017 assembly elections by 75% over and above the last assembly elections in Gujarat. In 2012, the expense limit was Rs16 lakh per candidate, but now it will be Rs28 lakh.
Correspondingly, prices on the rate list of items considered by election officers for tallying candidate expense have also witnessed a sharp northward trend.
In fact, the EC has issued a rate card with the cost of 200-odd items and facilities that are expected to be used by the candidates of political parties for propaganda during the forthcoming assembly elections scheduled for December 9 and December 14.
The rates fixed by the Ahmedabad election officer have jumped by 20% to 50%. For example, a cup of tea will now cost Rs10, while the same was Rs5 in 2012.
Lunch or dinner (Gujarati thali) used to be priced at Rs32.50, which now will be Rs 70, and can go up to Rs100 or Rs110 if the thali comes with sweets.
One of the biggest jumps has been in the hiring of a green room. The rate for a 20 feet by 15 feet room in 2012 was Rs625, but it will now be Rs15,000. Chairs for VIPs have also witnessed a price jump from Rs25 to Rs45.
In good news for political supporters, their snacks will now be allowed a cost of Rs20-Rs35, in contrast to Rs14.50 allowed in 2012.
The expenditure incurred by the candidates and parties will be calculated as per the rates finalized by the EC which has promised to keep a hawk's eye on the Rs 28 lakh expenditure limit set for the candidates.
Ahmedabad DDO, Dr Saurabh Pardhi, who looks after the expenditure by candidates in elections, said that the rates for printing, electronic items, videography, photography, advertisements, vehicles on hire, catering, hoardings and a host of other items which are likely to be used by the candidates have been set.
Pardhi said a meeting was held with representatives of different political parties and based on the outcome of the meeting, the rates have been decided. Officials said that the candidates will be required to maintain a register of expenses which will be checked by the election observer.
Commenting on the rates, Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said, "The increase in limit will not allow the candidate to spend freely. The new rates will severely compromise the spending power of the candidate."
BJP spokesperson Yamal Vyas said, "The rates fixed are higher than the prevalent rate. We have a kitchen at BJP office and if we have meals cooked it would cost us Rs60 for a meal, and the EC would consider it at Rs 100 or 110."
Vyas believes the candidate's ability to use resources may become constrained by the rates fixed by EC.
Correspondingly, prices on the rate list of items considered by election officers for tallying candidate expense have also witnessed a sharp northward trend.
In fact, the EC has issued a rate card with the cost of 200-odd items and facilities that are expected to be used by the candidates of political parties for propaganda during the forthcoming assembly elections scheduled for December 9 and December 14.
The rates fixed by the Ahmedabad election officer have jumped by 20% to 50%. For example, a cup of tea will now cost Rs10, while the same was Rs5 in 2012.
Lunch or dinner (Gujarati thali) used to be priced at Rs32.50, which now will be Rs 70, and can go up to Rs100 or Rs110 if the thali comes with sweets.
One of the biggest jumps has been in the hiring of a green room. The rate for a 20 feet by 15 feet room in 2012 was Rs625, but it will now be Rs15,000. Chairs for VIPs have also witnessed a price jump from Rs25 to Rs45.
In good news for political supporters, their snacks will now be allowed a cost of Rs20-Rs35, in contrast to Rs14.50 allowed in 2012.
The expenditure incurred by the candidates and parties will be calculated as per the rates finalized by the EC which has promised to keep a hawk's eye on the Rs 28 lakh expenditure limit set for the candidates.
Ahmedabad DDO, Dr Saurabh Pardhi, who looks after the expenditure by candidates in elections, said that the rates for printing, electronic items, videography, photography, advertisements, vehicles on hire, catering, hoardings and a host of other items which are likely to be used by the candidates have been set.
Pardhi said a meeting was held with representatives of different political parties and based on the outcome of the meeting, the rates have been decided. Officials said that the candidates will be required to maintain a register of expenses which will be checked by the election observer.
Commenting on the rates, Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said, "The increase in limit will not allow the candidate to spend freely. The new rates will severely compromise the spending power of the candidate."
BJP spokesperson Yamal Vyas said, "The rates fixed are higher than the prevalent rate. We have a kitchen at BJP office and if we have meals cooked it would cost us Rs60 for a meal, and the EC would consider it at Rs 100 or 110."
Vyas believes the candidate's ability to use resources may become constrained by the rates fixed by EC.
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