In a significant move to ensure financial transparency, the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has officially set standardised prices for various goods and services used by candidates in the run-up to the municipal elections. The decision, taken on Friday, aims to create a clear benchmark for calculating campaign expenditure and preventing candidates from exceeding legal spending limits.
Standardised Rates for Campaign Essentials
The new rate chart was finalised during a meeting held at the Standing Committee Hall in the civic headquarters. The session saw participation from representatives of various political parties. Deputy Municipal Commissioner Laxmikant Satalakar, Chief Accounts and Finance Officer Dattatray Pathrut, and Chief Auditor Balwant Gaikwad were key officials who conducted detailed briefings for the attendees.
According to the approved list, common refreshments served to party workers now have fixed prices. A cup of tea is priced at Rs 10, while popular snacks like bhaji and pohe are set at Rs 15 and Rs 20 per plate, respectively. The beloved Maharashtrian dish, misal pav, often a staple at political gatherings, has been standardised at Rs 65 per plate. Beyond food items, the cost of a campaign T-shirt has been fixed at Rs 103 per piece.
Ensuring Compliance and Transparency
NMC officials stated that these uniform rates will serve as a crucial tool for auditing candidate expenditure. The primary goal is to ensure all aspirants maintain accurate account books and stay within the spending caps prescribed by the State Election Commission (SEC). The initiative follows specific directives from the SEC aimed at bringing more openness to poll-related expenses.
During the meeting, officials emphasised the critical need to adhere to the Model Code of Conduct. Chief accounts officer Pathrut and chief auditor Gaikwad provided clear instructions on maintaining systematic documentation for all campaign costs. They warned that any expense not aligning with the SEC limits would be scrutinised.
Guidance for Candidates and Official Orders
To further streamline the process, Deputy Municipal Commissioner Satalakar announced that the corporation will soon distribute guidance booklets to office-bearers and aspiring candidates. These manuals will detail:
- The nomination process.
- The procedure for obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
- Other essential election protocols at divisional and returning officer levels.
The official orders formalising these standardised rates were issued by the NMC administration later on Friday. The civic body reiterated that all measures are being implemented to guarantee a transparent, smooth, and rule-bound election process for the upcoming municipal polls.
