Expenditure limit for MCD poll candidates raised to Rs 4 lakh

An MP is permitted to spend Rs 40 lakh for campaigning,while an MLA can spend Rs 14 lakh. Mehta said the expenses limit has been hiked also keeping in mind the inflation rate over the years.

However,in case a civic poll candidate exceeds the limit,the SEC can file a petition against him. If proven guilty,he can be disqualified from contesting the polls.

The SEC decision was received with applause by councillors and those contesting the election.

“A sum of Rs 1.5 lakh is very insufficient for campaigning. Because of this,many candidates do not reveal their actual expenditure. The SEC decision is very good. The new amount is adequate for campaigning in civic elections,” said Yogender Chandolia,Standing Committee Chairman and BJP Councillor from Dev Nagar.

Dr Mahendra Nagpal,Education Committee Chairman and BJP Councillor from Wazirpur,said the decision to hike the expenditure limit will end corrupt practices by candidates. “Every ward has roughly 50,000 voters. To reach out to such a huge audience,a lot of money is required. Earlier,when the expenses were limited to Rs 1.5 lakh,many candidates had to surreptitiously carry out their work and later produce bogus bills. With this decision,candidates will not have to indulge in corrupt practices.”

At the same time Leader of Opposition in the MCD Jai Kishan Sharma,who is also Congress councillor from Roshanpura,demanded that the expenditure limit be revised for poll. “We support the decision taken by the SEC. With a steep rise in inflation,there was a urgent need to allow more amount for campaigning. The Election Commission should review this figure every election. With the inflation rate spiking,more amount should be sanctioned.”