Ceiling on poll expenses may be hiked soon

NEW DELHI, Dec 14: An increase in the ceiling on electoral expenses of candidates to "realistic" levels before the forthcoming general election is under active consideration of the government.

Highly placed official sources have said the government has received proposals in this regard from the Election Commission for hike in the expenditure limit to a "reasonable and practical" amount.

The proposals for raising the limit were based on a consensus reached at an all-party meeting the commission had convened when political parties had complained about the unrealistic limit of ceiling at a maximum of Rs 4.5 lakh for a parliamentary constituency and Rs 1.5 lakh for an Assembly seat.