As India gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd (MPVL), the country's sole supplier of indelible ink, is working tirelessly to meet the growing demand. With a significant increase in the number of voters, the company is preparing to supply 26.55 lakh vials of ink, worth Rs 55 crore, to ensure the smooth conduct of elections. Let's delve into the details of their preparations.

Meeting the Massive Demand:

MPVL has received its largest order to date for the upcoming general elections. Over 70% of the production is already complete, and the remaining orders will be fulfilled by March 15. The ink, which is used to mark voters' fingers, is an essential component for conducting elections in India. Each vial of 10mg can serve up to 700 voters, and the company is prepared to deliver the required quantity to fulfill this massive demand.

Catering to Domestic and International Orders:

Apart from catering to the domestic demand for indelible ink, MPVL has also received a pipeline of export orders. As around 60 nations are holding elections this year, many of them rely on India's indelible ink for their voting processes. The company has already fulfilled export orders from countries like Cambodia, Fiji Islands, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau. Additionally, they are now processing orders from Mongolia, Fiji Islands, Malaysia, and Cambodia, with expectations of more orders pouring in.

Cost and Ingredient Challenges:

The cost of each vial of indelible ink has been revised to Rs 174, reflecting an increase from the previous election's price of Rs 160. This upward revision is due to the fluctuating price of silver nitrate, a key ingredient in the ink. Despite the challenges posed by the cost and availability of ingredients, MPVL remains committed to meeting the demand and ensuring the ink's quality.

Exploring Innovations:

To enhance convenience and efficiency, MPVL is exploring the development of marker pens as an alternative to the traditional glass vials. This innovation is still in the development stage and holds the potential to replace the vials containing the ink. If successful, it could streamline the process of marking voters and further improve the voting experience.