Election Commission retains 2014 food rate card for Telangana polls

Hyderabad: The Election Commission has allowed candidates some leeway in their poll spending in these inflation-hit times, by largely retaining the 2014 food rate card — except for mutton biryani. The cost of food items has more than doubled since 2014 but the EC softened the blow for candidates.

Now, candidates can show food at the lower 2014 rates while calculating their poll expenditure.

Only, the EC has increased the cost of mutton biryani per plate by Rs 10 from Rs 170 per plate in 2014 to Rs 180. Interestingly, it cut the cost of a plate of pulihora from Rs 40 to Rs 30 per plate.

During the same period, the expenditure limit for Assembly election candidates has been increased from Rs 28 lakh in 2014 to Rs 40 lakh.
There has not been much increase in rate ceiling for hiring vehicles and function halls.

When Election Commission of India officials visited Hyderabad last week to assess poll preparedness, representatives of political parties met Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and sought an increase in the poll expenditure by Rs 20 lakh.

BRS leader Sama Bharat, said, the demand was based on inflation keeping in view the rising prices of fuel and campaign material.

The EC stuck to the poll expenditure limit revised in 2022. However, it kept the rate card for food items unchanged.

The EC's poll expenditure observers monitor the spending by candidates from the day the poll notification is; November 3 in this case. The filing of nominations starts the same day.

From November 3, it is mandatory for candidates to submit expenditure statements to EC officials once in three days. Also every candidate must maintain a register and enter the details of expenses including bill numbers.

EC rate card

The cost ceiling for most food items stays the same from 2014 to now:

Chicken biryani Rs 140, veg biryani Rs 80, tiffin Rs 35, vegetarian meal Rs 65, big samosa Rs 10

Change:

Mutton biryani at Rs 170, Rs 10 costlier
Pulihora (lemon rice) Rs 30, Rs 10 cheaper.

What does it cost in market

Mutton biryani: Rs 200
Chicken biryani: Rs 180
Veg biryani: Rs 100
Veg meals: Rs 100
Pulihora: Rs 50
Samosa: Rs 25