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Donations to national parties by unknown sources
Why in news?
- As much as 67% of donations to national parties in 2018-19 came from “unknown sources,” an increase from 53% in the previous financial year, said a report released recently by “Association for Democratic Reforms”.
More in news
- More in the Report
(1) Electoral bonds accounted for 78% of the ₹2,512.98-crore income from unknown sources.
(2) While parties are required to give details of all donations above ₹20,000, donations under ₹20,000 and those through electoral bonds remain anonymous.
(3) The total income of the parties was ₹3,749.37 crore, of which ₹951.66 crore was from known donors.
(4) Suggestion: Since a very large percentage of the income of political parties cannot be traced to the original donor, full details of all donors should be made available for public scrutiny under the RTI [Right to Information Act].
- About Association for Democratic Reforms:
(1) ADR is an Indian non-partisan, non-governmental organization which works in the area of electoral and political reforms.
(2) Along with National Election Watch (NEW), ADR is striving to bring transparency and accountability in Indian politics and reducing the influence of money and muscle power in elections.
(3) ADR came into existence in 1999 when a group of Professors filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with the Delhi High Court regarding the disclosure of the criminal, financial and educational background of the candidates contesting elections
Sources
The Hindu