Lucknow: Facing a severe cash crunch, the Uttar Pradesh Congress has decided to launch a fund raising drive among its workers.

State party secretary Satish Ajmani said that receipt books in denominations of Rs 50, 100, 500 and 1000 had been printed and would be given to officer bearers at the district and city levels.

“The name, age, address, copy of voter ID, phone number and email ID of those who give money will be mentioned in the receipt books and the information will be forwarded to the data section of the state Congress office and the AICC. In cases where donations are made through cheques or draft, the details will also be forwarded to the state and central Congress offices,” he said.

The party office bearers will also be given a target for fund collection.

The Congress in U.P. has been cash strapped for quite some time now. About ten employees were retired a few months ago to reduce the financial burden on the party.

“We are avoiding programmes that need money and we have also cut down on office expenses. The AICC has also become tight-fisted, but money is needed for salaries and stationary etc. We have launched this drive and hope to get money to run the party office”, said a UPCC office bearer.

A former UPCC president said that the party had been out of power for 29 years and the paucity of funds was expected.

“Businessmen tend to give donations to parties that are in power because then they can also seek favors later. The Congress has been sidelined for almost three decades and no one is willing to bet on the party,” he said.