The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has recently raised concerns regarding the movement of cash during the electioneering period in the five Indian states where elections are scheduled to be held. In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India, CAIT emphasizes the importance of conducting free and fair elections while also addressing the challenges faced by traders. This article delves into the details of the letter, the concerns raised by CAIT, and the potential solutions proposed.
Detailed Analysis:
- Compliments to the Election Commission: CAIT begins by expressing appreciation for the Election Commission’s dedication to organizing impartial elections in the five upcoming states. The organization is keen to collaborate with the Commission to encourage a high voter turnout and ensure that citizens can exercise their right to vote.
- Challenges with Cash Movement: The heart of CAIT’s letter pertains to the movement of cash by traders during the election period. It highlights that law enforcement agencies and other authorities have been intercepting legitimate cash belonging to traders. This primarily affects the routine movement of traders within and between states, particularly during the festival season, which is often followed by the wedding season. The trading community expects significant business during these periods, and the practice of moving cash is customary, especially among gold and jewelry traders who deal with high-value items. The fear is that the undue scrutiny of legitimate transactions might deter genuine traders from conducting their business smoothly.
- Preventing Illegitimate Money in Elections: CAIT is fully aligned with the Election Commission’s stance against the use of illegitimate funds in elections. The organization acknowledges the importance of checks to ensure that only legal money is in circulation during electioneering. However, to prevent unnecessary disruptions to genuine traders, CAIT proposes the issuance of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) by the Election Commission. This SOP would enable the movement of cash and costly articles, provided they are accompanied by legal bills or appropriate documentation deemed acceptable by the Commission.
- Request for a Meeting: The letter from CAIT concludes with a request for a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner. A delegation of senior trade leaders wishes to discuss their suggestions with the Commission and seek guidance on how the trading community can contribute to boosting the percentage of voters exercising their right.
Conclusion:
The concerns raised by the Confederation of All India Traders regarding the movement of cash during election periods highlight the need for a balanced approach to ensure free and fair elections without unduly hindering legitimate business activities. By seeking an SOP from the Election Commission, CAIT aims to protect the interests of genuine traders while upholding the integrity of the electoral process. Collaboration between the trading community and the Commission is crucial in achieving this balance and increasing voter turnout.
In the spirit of democracy and economic prosperity, CAIT’s call for dialogue with the Election Commission is a constructive step towards addressing these concerns and achieving a harmonious coexistence of business activities and electoral processes.
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Confederation of All India Traders
“Vyapar Bhavan”
925/1, Naiwala, Karol Bagh, New Delhi-110005.
Phone: +91-11-45032664, Telephone: +91-11-45032665
Email: teamcait@gamil.com Website: cait.in
Ref. No. 3666/1/50 Dated: 19th Octomber,2023
The Chief Election Commissioner
Election Commission of India
New Delhi
Dear Sir.
Sub : Movement of Cash during electioneering period in 5 States where elections are to be held.
At the outset, we express compliments to the Commission for taking every step to conduct free and fair elections in forthcoming elections in 5 States.
On behalf of business community of the Country we assure you of our best cooperation and are more wiling to join hands with the Commission to ensure That citizens in large number exercise their Right to Vote with our wide network in election bound States to elect popular Government.
However, we invoke your urgent attention towards checking & withholding of legitimate Cash belonging to traders by Police Authorities and others during the movement of traders from one place to another for business purpose& You will appreciate that currently the festival season is going which will be followed by wedding season and during this period, the trading community expects good business and therefore movement of cash is a routine exercise of the business. It is particularly a normal exercise for Gold & Jewellery traders who carry not only cash but gold and silver articles also of high value being the costly nature of the commodity.
We are fully aligned that no illegitimate money should be used in elections and therefore checking is an the more Important However, to protect unnecessary hurdles being caused to genuine traders. a SPO Is needed to be released by the Election Commission for movement of cash and costly articles for movement with legal bill or any other document which you deem fit.
A delegation of the senior trade leaders wish to call upon your good self to place our suggestions and to take your guidance as to how the trading community could boost voting percentage.
We are sure that it will receive your kind attention and we look forward for your esteemed response.
Thank you. With kind regards
Yours truly
Praveen Khandelwal
National Secretary General
Confederation of All India Traders
