Cash and vote have had a strange liaison in the country, Jharkhand in particular.

To ensure that fluid assets meant for pure business transactions or personal use was not confused as money to influence the electorate, the SCCI on Monday directed traders in Kolhan region to issue authorisation letters for hard cash transport in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls.

SCCI vice-president Bharat Vasani said they had already issued an authorisation format, which needed to be followed on the letterhead of a company or individual. The letter, mentioning the quantum of cash and its purpose, must also be stamped and duly signed by the authorised signatory.

“The seriousness of cash transportation during elections was raised recently with income tax officials and the returning officer by an SCCI delegation led by our president Suresh Sonthalia. The outcome was the idea to authorise carrying of cash,” Vasani said.

East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Amitabh Kaushal, who is also the district returning officer, has constituted flying squads to monitor movement of cash.

Last week, a Sonari trader was caught with Rs 1.05 lakh, but later released when it was verified that the cash was meant for staff salary.