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| Mysore Paints & Varnish Ltd- Ensuring Electoral Integrity through Indelible Ink |
As India gears up for the imminent general elections in 2024, Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd (MPVL) emerges as a crucial player, diligently striving to meet the escalating demand for indelible ink, an indispensable tool in the electoral process. The Election Commission's substantial order of 26.55 lakh vials, valued at ₹55 crore, marks a historic milestone for the company.
Production Status and Capacity
MPVL has made significant progress, with approximately 70% of the production already accomplished. The remaining vials are slated for completion by March 15, 2024. Each 10 mg vial of indelible ink can mark approximately 700 voters, serving as a robust safeguard against electoral malpractices like duplicate voting.
Global Reach and Export Demand
In addition to catering to domestic requirements, MPVL is actively fulfilling export orders from multiple countries reliant on its indelible ink for electoral processes. Recent shipments to nations like Cambodia, Fiji Islands, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau underscore the company's global presence. Further, ongoing orders and repeat demands from Mongolia, Fiji Islands, Malaysia, and Cambodia signify sustained international traction.
Cost Adjustments and Innovation Initiatives
To adapt to fluctuating market dynamics, MPVL has revised the cost of each vial to ₹174, up from ₹160 in the previous election cycle, attributing it to the variable price of silver nitrate, a pivotal ingredient in the ink formulation. Concurrently, the company is exploring innovative solutions such as marker pens as alternatives to traditional glass vials, with prototypes currently in the developmental phase.
Indelible Ink: Essential Features and Utility
- Developed by the Council of Industrial Research-National Physical Laboratory in Delhi, indelible ink serves as a potent deterrent against fraudulent voting practices.
- Applied to the left forefinger of voters, the ink leaves a distinctive mark, providing tangible evidence of participation in the electoral process.
- Formulated with silver nitrate, the ink undergoes a chemical reaction upon exposure to light, resulting in a lasting mark on the skin and fingernail.
- Each 10 ml vial of indelible ink can effectively mark the fingers of approximately 700 individuals, ensuring widespread coverage.
- Beyond elections, indelible ink has found utility during the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating the identification of individuals under home quarantine in some states.
About Mysore Paints & Varnish Ltd
Founded in 1937 under the patronage of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, the then Maharaja of Mysore province, MPVL initially operated as "Mysore Lac & Paint Works Ltd." The establishment aimed to harness local resources for economic growth and employment generation, with a focus on utilizing forest-derived materials like lac for manufacturing sealing waxes.
In 1947, the unit transitioned into a public Limited company, becoming a prominent government undertaking from the state of Karnataka. Today, MPVL stands as a testament to innovation, sustainability, and commitment to electoral integrity, both nationally and internationally.