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Thursday, March 4, 2010

1.30 cr to be spent on Aurangabad Municipal polls

Aurangabad:(Syed Khaja Sohel.Correspondent) The Municipal Corporation (AMC) would be spending Rs.1.30 crore on its elections slated to be held in April ,this year.The number of voters has risen by 1.5 lakh thus time around .In 2005,there were 5.78 lakh voters in 98 wards while this time seven lakh voters are expected to exercise their of franchise from 99 wards. The Pundaliknagar was attached to the civic body after 2005.The election expenses include preparation of new voters list paying of honorarium to staff on election duty , video cameras, erection of pandals and others election works .The AMC would be spending around Rs.14 on each voter.The expenses have gone up by 30 per cent as the cost of election equipment has risen. Moreover, honorarium of the staff has increased after implementation of the sixth pay commission recommendations.Meanwhile, the AMC administration is having sleepless nights over the possible expenditure as it is already reeling under financial crises. The AMC had made a provision of Rs.50 lakh in its annual budget of 2009-10 for the elections. The remaining amount will be raised after passing vote on accounts as per the directives of the state election commission (SEC).Out of 5.78 lakh voters, a total of 3.78 lakh voters (including 197871 men) cast votes in 2005 general election. The voting percentage was 65.45 pc.
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