On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi might have promised a double Diwali for the state, but traders are bracing for a lean festive season thanks to the upcoming Assembly polls.

Restriction on carrying money, poll duty for government officials and seizure of vehicles are affecting sales.

Starting from Navratri, markets usually bustle with activity, including sale of garments, electronics goods, gold and cars. Shop owners at places such as Patna Market, Khaitan Market, Boring Road and New Market normally report sales increasing by two to three times during the festive season. Not this year.

"We are not able to make bookings for large consignment as we are not able to carry much cash owing to stringent checks of vehicles on the roads. Not all bookings can be made through cheques or demand drafts. At times, we are required to make payments in cash," said Nihar Hisariya, who owns Paridhaan, a store on Boring Road.

According to Election Commission directives, a person is not detained if the amount in cash s/he is carrying is less than Rs 50,000 - unless it is found that he has connections with leaders or political parties - or if the person is not caught with election-related materials as well. For people carrying higher amounts in cash, documents are sought.

The cash-crunch has left businessmen apprehensive that they will not be able to get sufficient inventories for the festive season. "The administration would start imposing restrictions on entry of goods vehicles from outside the state as the poll dates draw nearer. A number of vehicles would also be seized. Thus, we might not have sufficient stocks to offer to the buyers," said Saurav Banka, owner of another merchandise shop on Boring Road.

Electronic goods sellers are already concerned over plummeting sales. "The market for laptops, computers and other electronic gadgets deal in hefty amounts. The restrictions in carrying cash more than Rs 50,000 has already reduced the sales figures," said Amit Tiwari, senior executive at a computer firm.

Some shop owners, however, are not glum over the restrictions imposed. Such as gold shops.

"I don't see any major impact on the sale of gold at present. People do not spend much during polls," said Vishal Gupta, owner of Alka Jewellers on Boring Road.

The rate of 10gm gold was Rs 26,300 on Friday, while it was Rs 27,200 on the same day last year. Gold sales usually peak around Dhanteras.