Farmers’ association demands exemption for farmers to carry cash over ₹50,000

The Uzhavar Perunthalaivar Narayanasamy Naidu’s Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam demanded the Election Commission to allow farmers to carry more than ₹50,000 in cash considering the festive season.

Following the announcement of the Assembly election date on March 15, the election Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has been enforced. As per the MCC, carrying cash more than ₹50,000 without proper documents will be seized. The association has urged the Election Commission to provide an exemption for farmers.

The association State president R. Velusamy said that since the implementation of MCC, the most affected sector is farming. Under the pretext of check-ups, officials allegedly seize money from farmers when they are returning after selling the produce and cattle. He stated that while going to buy new cattle from the weekly cattle shandies at various places, the money was seized from farmers. “How will farmers be able to provide documents for money that they are going to use to buy cattle or the money earned after selling their cattle at a weekly shandy?” Mr. Velusamy questioned.

Stating that farmers are facing hardship in selling cattle for the Ramzan festival, Mr. Velusamy said that no weekly shandy has the facility to provide computer-based receipts for selling or buying cattle. Due to the enforcement of MCC, traders from other States are not participating in the weekly cattle shandies, which will hit the price of cattle and of the farmers’ produce. He alleged that the Election Commission is not concentrating on illegal money of politicians and is only focusing on farmers, traders, poor and the middle-class and persons requiring money for medical expenses and seizing them. The Election Commission must look into the issue and give an exemption for farmers, Mr. Velusamy added.