EC fixes rates for expenditure during poll campaigning

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 9

The Election Commission has fixed the rates of 142 items that can be used during campaigning by candidates.

The election expenditure borne by candidates would be calculated on the basis of this price list only.

The election office will be keeping a strict vigil on the use of items during the election campaigning and video recording of the same would also be done.

The charges of setting up an election office have been fixed between Rs 10,000 and 25,000; using still and video camera will be charged at Rs 15,000; marriage palace booking will cost Rs 10,000 to 80,000.

There are 23 food items, the price of which has been released by the EC. It includes coffee at Rs 10 per cup, one piece paneer pakora at Rs 12, one piece samosa with chana at Rs 15, parantha at Rs 25, soft drink at Rs 20 per 250 ml bottle, roti thali at Rs 70, milk at 45/kg, bread pakoda at Rs 10, chana-bhature plate at Rs 30, kachori at Rs 11, 1-kg pakode at Rs 120, 1 kg paneer pakode at Rs 250, burfi at Rs 250/kg, jalebi at Rs 140/kg, laddoo at Rs 120/kg, water camphor at Rs 80, one box of mineral water with 12 bottles at Rs 144, 100 disposable thalis at Rs 200, 100 disposable glasses at Rs 40.

A Siropa will cost candidates Rs 90 and a flower garland will cost them Rs 15. If any candidate uses cycle rickshaw for publicity during campaigning, it will cost them Rs 1,500 per day, use of auto-rickshaw will invite a cost of Rs 2,000 per day. Use of sound system will be charged at Rs 5,000, use of floodlight will cost Rs 150 and use of generator will invite between Rs 500 and 1,500. The cost of one plastic chair has been fixed at Rs 8, Dunlop chair at Rs 10, two-seater sofa at Rs 300, table at Rs 25, tea thermos at Rs 100 and the rate of bucket has been fixed at Rs 5.

“The expenditure of the candidate will be calculated according to the list. Almost all items that can be used during campaigning are included in the list. The representatives of the respective political parties have been provided the list,” said Ravi Bhagat, Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer.

Election office to keep strict vigil

• The election expenditure borne by candidates will be calculated on the basis of the price list only.
• The election office will be keeping a strict vigil on the use of items during the election campaigning and video recording of the same would also be done. 
• The charges of setting up an election office have been fixed between Rs 10,000 and Rs  25,000; using still and video camera will be charged at Rs 15,000; marriage palace booking will cost Rs 10,000 to Rs 80,000. 
• There are 23 food items, the price of which has been released by the Election Commission. 

Wages fixed by the Election Commission 

• Charges of driver’s salary per day with food: Rs 500
• Dhadi Jatha per programme: Rs 3,100
• DJ per day: Rs 4,000
• DJ with orchestra per day: Rs 12,000
• Local singer per one programme: Rs 20,000 to  Rs 35,000
• Renowned singer per programme: Rs 1,50,000 and above

Rent of marriage palaces without furniture

• Marriage palaces located in rural areas: Rs 10,000 to Rs 40,000/ day
• Marriage palaces located in semi-urban areas: Rs 20,000 to Rs  60,000/ day
• Marriage palaces located in urban areas/ posh localities on GT roads or other main roads: Rs 30,000 to Rs 80,000/ day