Poll Curbs on Cash Hits Wedding-related Plans

Hyderabad: The state Assembly election, especially the model code of conduct in force, is overlapping with the wedding season in the auspicious ‘Kartika masam’ leaving people worried about carrying money for wedding-related activities like paying vendors or purchasing jewellery. If go out for shopping, I can prove Rs 11 lakh is mine from bank statements, but remaining Rs 5 lakh is a personal loan.” “Proving this would be a problem. Ashok Lal, who runs an exclusive wedding apparel store in Badi Chowdi, said: “Most shops have clearly have installed boards before their shops that state ‘only cash accepted, no digital banking’. Many told me that they have cash but are scared to bring it and requested me to accept credit card.” Ravi, a resident, who has fixed his daughter’s wedding, said that there must be a provision for a one-time clearance from the police station concerned so that people who go out for wedding shopping are not hindered by the police. A senior police officer said: “People carrying huge amounts of Rs 5- Rs 15 lakh and above should have bank receipts, I-T papers, and the purpose; if shopping for marriage, the invitation cards, and function hall receipts must be produced.