BHOPAL : The Urban administration and development department has increased the election expenditure limit for candidates for Mayoral and Presidential posts in urban bodies, revising it after 17 years.
The limit was increased from nine to twelve folds, depending upon the population of the urban area concerned. The changes have been made in view of the forthcoming urban civic body elections.
Mayoral candidates can now spend Rs 35 lakh in their poll campaign in cities with population more than ten lakh like Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur and Gwalior. The limit will be Rs 15 lakh in cities having population less than ten lakh. Latest population figure of 2011 will be considered for it, says notification issued by the UADD.
In old rules, the limit was between Rs two to four lakh for mayoral candidates, which was fixed in 1997 by the department. In municipality councils, expenditure limit will be Rs ten lakh for presidential candidates in urban body with population over one lakh.
It will be Rs six lakh for municipality areas with population between 50,000 and one lakh and Rs four lakh for areas with population less than 50,000. In previous rules, the limit was within range of Rs 25,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh for municipalities. For municipal councils, it is Rs three lakh fixed. Earlier it was Rs 25,000 for all municipal councils.
