In April to May every year, buyers from four to five States come to Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district to purchase raw cashew nuts in bulk from local middlemen and farmers. For this, they pay in cash.
This year, buyers are low in number because of the Model Code of Conduct that came into effect on March 18. Enforcement drives at check-posts by the Election Commission (EC) to control free flow of inducements such as cash for voters means the amount of money people can carry on their person is limited, until election results are declared.
As per the code, a person may have not more than ₹50,000 in cash, with proof of reason. Otherwise, the amount is seized by the enforcement staff. If caught, the seized cash must be proved to be for a valid reason, within 24 hours.
