Shopping For Weddings, Festival Drops By Over 50%
Assembly elections may dampen spirits this wedding season. Though Diwali is round the corner and the wedding season about to peak, shopping is the last thing on people’s minds because of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) which is in force in the state since the announcement of the election dates. The Election Commission (EC) is strictly monitoring cash transit of more than Rs 2.5 lakh.
Usually, November and December see agile economic transactions in Gujarat on account of Diwali and the wedding season. However, this year elections have brought cash transactions to a standstill, leading to a drop in sales by 50-60 per cent across segments.
Manoj Soni, owner of AB Jewellers, said, “With attractive gold rates, people are keen to shop but are not coming forward as they fear being harassed by officials under the MCC. Our regular clientele includes several villagers, who do not have bank accounts and are forced to carry cash. Sale has dropped by 50 per cent since October 3, when the MCC came into force.” Soni’s sentiments were echoed by Bharat Zaveri, owner of Zaveri and Co. “Even inquiries are down by more than 60 per cent,” he said.
In order to curtail the misuse of cash during electioneering, EC has made it compulsory to carry ample evidences of the legality of the cash, if someone is transferring or carrying more than Rs 2.50 lakh. The evidences will have to be shown to income tax officers present at the spot. However, after widespread resentment from the business community, EC relaxed the norms for farmers, business enterprises and exempted money for the purpose of medical treatments and marriage, on October 26.
In spite of the fresh directive, there is clear apprehension amongst the buyers, who have postponed their shopping and wedding plans till the elections are over. Pranav Patel, a businessman from Mehsana, said, “There is a wedding in my family this month and we have decided to use whatever gold we have at home instead of taking the risk of carrying cash and buying new gold. I am aware of the fresh directive but would still like to avoid the hassle of being questioned by officials on my way to Ahmedabad.”
Apex bodies in the state Assocham and Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) had filed a PIL on the issue, hearing on which is due. “The code should be implied on government officials and politicians who are contesting elections. So many citizens and traders are suffering because of the directive,” said Archish Shah, spokesperson, GCCI.
