Tamil Nadu Assembly election: Merchants seek clarity on documents, higher cash limit during elections in Salem

The Salem Shevapet Maligai and Shop Varthaga Nala Sangam (Merchant Association) has appealed to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to rise the cash-carrying bounds from ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh and to contented wide guidelines connected the documents required during election-related checks.

In a petition submitted to predetermination officials astatine the Collectorate present connected Wednesday (March 18, 2026), the association’s president, S.C. Natarajan, said traders were among those astir affected station the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) coming into unit pursuing the announcement of Assembly predetermination dates. He noted that traders routinely transportation currency for morganatic purposes, including procurement of goods and gathering day-to-day concern expenses.

While the ECI has directed that valid documents beryllium carried erstwhile transporting currency exceeding ₹50,000, traders remained uncertain astir the circumstantial documents that would beryllium accepted during conveyance checks, helium said, seeking clarity connected the issue.

Mr. Natarajan further pointed retired that the existing currency bounds had been fixed respective years agone and was nary longer capable successful presumption of rising commodity prices. Emphasising that traders grip currency arsenic portion of regular concern transactions, helium urged the Commission to heighten the bounds to ₹3 lakh.