Cash restrictions for LS poll hits century-old cattle market in Vellore
A century-old weekly cattle market in Vellore has been affected due to restrictions on carrying huge amount of cash during travel as part of the enforcement of moral code of conduct by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for Lok Sabha election on April 19.
As per norms for the elections, cash up to ₹50,000 has been allowed for people to carry during their travel.
“Most of the dairy farmers, who come to the weekly market, were not aware of the cash restrictions during election. Also, sellers, who are also poor farmers, always depend on cash transactions rather than online payment. A permanent solution should be found to ensure dairy farmers are not affected,” said K. Sethu, a dairy farmer at the market.
The election flying squad seized ₹5.89 lakh from S. Vijayan (33), a dairy farmer from Salem, at the toll gate in Pallikonda near Vellore on Tuesday. Initial inquiry revealed that he was on his way to the cattle market in Vellore in his maxi-cab to buy milch cows.
The market, held every Tuesday, has spread over a vast open space near a lake in Poigai village near Vellore town on Chennai - Bengaluru Highway (NH 44) for many years. Dairy farmers from various places like Tirupattur, Dharmapuri, Chengam, Anaicut, Gudiyatham and Krishnagiri throng the market. Around 2,500 cattles are brought to the market for sale.