The regular vehicle checking and cash seizures ahead of election has left the local traders and businessmen who deal in cash worried as they fear being hassled by the inspecting officers.
The Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) has been getting several cases where businessmen were stopped by police for carrying huge amount of cash and had to face unnecessary questioning.
FJCCI president, Deepak Kumar Maroo said, “The businessmen are facing problems and we have had discussion about it with the chief election officer of the State too. However, we will also have to understand that this is a mandatory step to stop wrong practices. We are ready to face these problems until any nuisance is not created by the inspecting officer."
He added, "If the money caught is for genuine business purpose, it should be seized and our staff should not be bothered."
Citing a recent case that occurred in Gumla district, Maroo informed that the inspecting party captured the money of a businessman and asked him to collect it after elections. “We informed the local chamber of commerce there and after intervention the money was released,” he said.
The FJCCI chairperson informed that the federation is taking this matter seriously and requested businessmen to approach them if they face any problem. "The CEO has assured us that there will be no problem for the businessmen and if we come across such cases we should bring it to his notice so he can take care of it," he said.
Another major issue the FJCCI is concerned about is seizure of vehicles used for goods transportation. Usually, the officers ask the truck drivers to carry election related material from one district to other, which often leads to delay in supply of consignments, thus hampering the business. "While the EC had told us that they wouldn’t seize trucks this time, a matter came to light from Lohardaga yesterday when a truck was stopped. We will again approach the CEO regarding this," Maroo said.
Meanwhile, additional election officer, Manish Ranjan assured that the businessmen have nothing to worry about. "If the person carrying cash has a certificate from bank about the purpose of the cash no one would be stopped. The standard operation procedure (SOP) has been circulated among all the banks and flying squad teams to follow the said norms," he said.
Ranjan also informed that if the person does not have a certificate and the cash is seized, a committee under the deputy development commissioner (DDC) has the final call on seizing or releasing the money.
"The cash seized has to be presented in front of this committee within 24 hours of seizure. The person taking it can give an explanation to the committee and if the committee deems fit, the money can be released," Ranjan said.
Ranjan also informed that there is no provision for stopping business vehicles this time. "The district election officers have been directed to conduct a meeting with the FJCCI and transport unions to take details of vehicles they have which can be used for elections. We appeal to the business community that they continue their work without worries as there will be no hindrance from the election commission,” he said.