Polls a windfall for flex printing business

JAMMU: The urban local bodies elections in the state have given a major boost to printers particularly in the flex printing business as the demand for printing material from contesting candidates and their supporters has increased

Updated At : 05:32 AM Oct 04, 2018 IST

A poll poster being printed in Jammu. Photo: Inderjeet Singh

Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 3

The urban local bodies elections in the state have given a major boost to printers, particularly in the flex printing business, as the demand for printing material from contesting candidates and their supporters has increased.

According to rough estimates, around 50 flex printing units across the Jammu region are making a handsome profit in the run-up to the civic elections.

“Since the announcement of the urban local bodies polls, there has been nearly 70 per cent growth in our business. Though the demand is not on a par with the Assembly or parliamentary elections in which the election expenditure of the contesting candidates is quite high, there is a surge in the business,” said Prince Khajuria, owner of one of the leading flex printing units in Jammu.

The four-phased urban local bodies polls will be held between October 8-16, while the counting of votes will be held on October 20.

The state election department has issued guidelines for the candidates on the election expenditure. The candidates contesting for the Jammu Municipal Corporation and the Srinagar Municipal Corporation are allowed to spend up to Rs 1.5 lakh, while those contesting for the municipal councils and municipal committees can spend only Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000, respectively. The election authority has appointed expenditure observers to keep a close watch on the money spent by the candidates.

There are a total of 79 municipal corporations, councils and committees in the state. As many as 422 of the 1,145 wards are going to the polls in the first phase. A total of 1,283 contestants are in the fray.

“Candidates are spending more than they are allowed to spend on printing material. An upward graph has been witnessed in our business and we are expecting same good business in the ensuing panchayat elections as well,” said another flex printing unit owner. He said the industry of traditional handmade banners and printing on cloth had shrunk due to the popularity of flex printing, which had increased the prospects of their businesses.