Donations to BJP decreased 39.23%, Congress' 46.39%; Prudent Electoral Trust top donor

Excerpts from the report "Analysis of Donations Received above Rs 20,000 by National Political Parties, FY 2020-21", prepared by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), based on donations, as submitted by the parties to the Election Commission of India (ECI) [the National parties include Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and National People’s Party (NPEP)]:

1. Status of Submission of Contribution reports of National Parties, FY 2020-21

a) The due date for submission of contribution reports for the parties was 30 September 2021.
b) Only BSP submitted its contribution report on time while NCP, AITC, CPM, NPEP, INC, BJP and CPI submitted after a delay of 10 days, 117 days, 136 days, 137 days, 161 days, 164 days and 178 days, respectively.

2. Donations above Rs 20,000 to National Parties from all over India, FY 2020-21

a) The total donations (above Rs 20, 000) declared by the National parties for FY 2020-21 was Rs 593.748 cr from 3753 donations.
b) A total of Rs 477.545 cr from 2206 donations was declared by BJP followed by Rs 74.524 cr from 1077 donations declared by INC. The donations declared by BJP are more than four times the aggregate declared by INC, NCP, CPI, CPM, NPEP and AITC for the same period.
c) BSP declared that the party did not receive any donations above Rs 20,000 during FY 2020-21, as it has been declaring for the past 15 years.

3. Comparison of donations received by National parties during FY 2019-20 and FY 2020-21

a) For this comparison, we are not taking National People's Party’s income amount as the party’s donation statement is not available on ECI website for FY 2019-20.
b) The total donations of the National parties during FY 2020-21 decreased by Rs 420.652 cr, a decrease of 41.49% from the previous financial year 2019-20.
c) Donations to BJP decreased from Rs 785.77 cr during FY 2019-20 to Rs 477.545 cr during FY 2020-21 (39.23% decrease). While the party’s donations increased by 5.88% during FY 2019-20 in comparison to FY 2018-19.
d) INC’s donations decreased from Rs 139.016 cr during FY 2019-20 to Rs 74.524 cr during FY 2020-21 (46.39% decrease). While INC’s donations decreased by 6.44% between FY 2018-19 and FY 2019-20.
e) In a comparison of the previous FY decrease in donations declared by AITC was 94.74% (Rs 7.6585 cr), NCP - 56.19% (Rs 33.685 cr) and CPM- 34.49% (Rs 6.7925 cr).

4. State-wise donations to National Parties: FY 2020-21

a) Segregation of donations according to state was made by ADR based on the addresses provided by the parties in their donations report to the ECI.
b) A total of Rs 246.502 cr was donated to the National Parties from Delhi, followed by Rs 71.681 cr from Maharashtra and Rs 47.071 cr from Gujarat.
c) A total of Rs 37.912 cr, (6.39% of total donations received by the National parties, FY 2020-21), could not be attributed to any State/ Union Territory due to Incomplete/Undeclared information provided by the parties.

5. Donors from corporates/business sectors Vs. individual donors

a) 1399 donations to the National parties were made by corporate/business sectors amounting to Rs 480.725 cr (80.9645% of total donations) while 2257 individual donors donated Rs 111.58 cr (18.7925% of total donations) to the parties during FY 2020-21.
b) 1111 donations from corporate/business sectors were made to BJP (Rs 416.794 cr) while 1071 individual donors donated Rs 60.37 cr to the party during FY 2020-21.
c) INC received a total of Rs 35.89 cr via 146 donations from corporate/business sectors and Rs 38.634 cr via 931 individual donors during FY 2020-21.
d) BJP (Rs 416.794 cr) received more than six times the total amount (Rs 63.931 cr) of corporate donations declared by all other National parties for the FY 2020-21.

6. Top donors to National Parties, FY 2020-21

a) Prudent Electoral Trust donated a total of Rs 216.00 cr to BJP, NCP and INC together and is the top donor to parties that received the maximum donations. The Trust donated Rs 209.00 cr to BJP (43.766% of total funds received by the party), Rs 5.00 cr to NCP (19.04% of total funds received by the party). and Rs 2 cr to INC (2.68% of total funds received by the party).
b) IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd (Rs 20.00 cr, 1 donation), Modern Road Makers Pvt Ltd. Ltd. (Rs 20.00 cr, 1 donation) and Saranjay Brahma (Rs 14.46 cr, 4 donations) are some of other top donors of BJP in the FY 2020-21.
c) BJP and INC received a total of Rs 10.00 cr (2.09%) and Rs 60 lakhs (0.81%), respectively from Nirma Ltd.

Observations

1. NCP, AITC, CPM, NPEP, INC, BJP and CPI submitted contribution reports after a delay of 10 days, 117 days, 136 days, 137 days, 161 days, 164 days and 178 days, respectively.
2. It is to be noticed that INC declared Rs 74.504 cr but the actual calculated amount is Rs 74.524 cr and CPM had declared Rs 12.854 cr but the actual calculated amount is Rs 12.901 cr in their donation statements for FY 202021.
3. 5 National parties, BJP, INC, CPM, CPI and NPEP had not declared PAN details of 171 donations through which the parties collected a total of Rs 2.746 cr (0.46% of the total donations declared by National parties).
4. 4 National Parties (INC- Rs 5.43 cr, BJP-Rs 63.50 lakhs, CPM- Rs 2 lakhs and NCP- Rs 1 lakh) have declared Rs 6.095 cr from 43 donations having missing/incorrect PAN details.
5. BJP declared 252 donations of Rs 81.383 cr, INC collected 90 donations worth Rs 12.21 cr, AITC collected 26 donations of Rs 42.50 lakhs, CPM collected 26 donations of Rs 17.35 lakhs, NPEP collected 3 donations of Rs 8.35 lakhs and CPI collected 1 donation of Rs 50,000 having incomplete cheque/DD details where cheque number, bank details on which it was drawn and the date on which the cheque was received/ encashed is not provided. Thus, without the complete cheque/DD details, it would be a time-consuming process to link the donors against their donations and hence trace the money trail.
6. As done for the last 15 years, BSP has remarkably declared again that the party did not receive any donations above Rs 20,000.

Recommendations

1. The Supreme Court gave a judgment on September 13, 2013 declaring that no part of a candidate’s affidavit should be left blank. Similarly, no part of the Form 24A submitted by political parties providing details of donations above Rs 20,000 should be blank.
2. All donors who have donated a minimum of Rs 20,000 as a single or multiple donations should provide their PAN details.
3. Full details of all donors should be made available for public scrutiny under the RTI. Some countries where this is done include Bhutan, Nepal, Germany, France, Italy, Brazil, Bulgaria, the US and Japan. In none of these countries is it possible for nearly 50% of the source of funds to be unknown, but at present it is so in India.
4. The National parties should, ideally, lead by example by filing complete and correct statements of donations to the ECI well in time for public scrutiny so as to encourage financial transparency.
5. It is suggested that the ECI publicize on its website details of the action taken (if any) against political parties that fail to provide required details (such as name, address, PAN and mode of payment) of individuals, companies or entities making donations in cash.
6. Incomplete contributions reports having missing or incorrect PAN/mode of payment details must be returned to the parties by the ECI, to deter them from providing incomplete information.
7. The National and Regional political parties must provide all information of their finances under the Right to Information Act. This will go a long way in strengthening political parties, elections and democracy.
8. Annual scrutiny of donations reports of National, Regional and unrecognized parties should be initiated by a dedicated department of the CBDT, to discourage donations from shell companies or illegal entities.

Comments

Abrogation of Art 370: Increasing alienation, relentless repression, simmering conflict

One year after the abrogation by the Central Government of Art. 370 in Kashmir, what is the situation in the Valley. Have the promises of peace, normalcy and development been realised? What is the current status in the Valley? Here is a detailed note by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties , “Jammu & Kashmir: One Year after Abrogation of Art. 370: Increasing Alienation, Relentless Repression, Simmering Conflict”:

Repeated failure to appoint Chief, other commissioners undermining RTI Act

By Anjali Bhardwaj, Amrita Johri* The post of the Chief Information Commissioner of the Central Information Commission (CIC) has fallen vacant with the retirement of Bimal Julka with effect from August 27, 2020. This is the fifth time in the last six years that the Commission has been rendered headless. Four posts of information commissioners are also vacant in the CIC. Currently more than 35,000 appeals and complaints are pending in the commission resulting in citizens having to wait for months, even years for their cases to be disposed, thereby frustrating peoples’ right to know. Since May 2014, not a single commissioner of the CIC has been appointed without citizens having to approach courts. The failure of the government to make timely appointments of commissioners is a flagrant violation of the directions of the Supreme Court. In its February 2019 judgment, the apex court had categorically stated that if the CIC does not have a Chief Information Commissioner or required strength

Panchayat funds defrauded: Roads without potholes a fundamental right but not here

Kirity Roy, Secretary Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), and National Convenor (PACTI) Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity, writes to the chairman, National Human Rights Commission: *** Through this complaint, I want to draw your attention to the plight of the villagers of Nawdapara in the District of North 24 Parganas. The village is situated under the Bagdah Police Station, Bagdah Block and Mama Bhagina Post Office respectively. Nawdapara is a Muslim minority populated village. Indo Bangladesh Border Road (IBBR) passes through the middle of the village. There is a naka checking post of the BSF inside the village and BSF associated with Mama Bhagina Border Out Post, 68 Battalion, ‘B’ Company guard 24 hours in that check post. People have lived in this village since the independence of India. The market is about three to four kilometres away from Nawdapara village. One primary school is situated within the village but the high school is about five to six kilo

Ultimate champion in crisis, arguably best ever skipper: Created history in Aussie cricket

By Harsh Thakor In the history of cricket few cricketers knit and propelled a cricket team or had such profound influence on the game as Ian Chappell. Ian Chappell was responsible for converting a bunch of talented individuals into a world beating side, giving a dramatic turn to Australian cricket. Few cricketers ever led such a renaissance.

BSF's unconstitutional, whimsical order violates life, livelihood of Dalits, minorities

Kirity Roy, Secretary, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), writes to the Chairman, National Human Rights Commission: *** I want to attract your attention towards the illegitimate restrictions on the life and livelihood of the villagers of Paschim Sahebganj village under Dinhata - II Block and Sahebganj police station in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal by the Border Security Force personnel attached with Dharala Border Out Post under 138 Battalion BSF. The population of Paschim Sahebganj village is around 1480, where almost 75 percent of the villagers belong from Hindu Scheduled Caste (Dalit) and 25 percent from minority Muslim backgrounds.The main occupation of the villagers is agriculture. About 260 acres of cultivable land in the village that belongs to the villagers is located outside the border fencing, which is heavily guarded by the Border Security Force (BSF). The BSF regulates the ingress and egress of the villagers to their fields through the fencing gates that a

Largest democracy in world has become weakest at hands of fascist Hindutva forces

Note on “The Nazification of India”, a report released By Justice For All: *** This report, the Nazification of India, compares how Hindutva ideology not only is inspired by Nazis and Fascists of Europe, but their treatment of the Muslim minority closely follows developments that resulted in pushing Jews to the gas chambers. Situation is indeed quite alarming. The report says that the largest democracy in the world has become the weakest at the hands of the fascist Hindutva ideology. India today is ruled not just by a political party the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but its mother organization the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Because the BJP’s government policies are linked to extra-legal enforcement by RSS paramilitary street power, this report has coined the term “The BJP-RSS regime” to reflect their intrinsic links and collaborative relationship. The Nazification of India report marks the anniversary of the Gujarat pogroms of 2002 against Muslims which propelled the BJP-RSS

Varanasi social worker who has devoted her life for the ultra-poor and the marginalized

Passion Vista and its partners profile Founder and Managing Trustee Shruti Nagvanshi as someone whom women leaders look up to: *** Shruti Nagvanshi, a social worker and human rights activist based in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, has devoted her life to reaching out to the ultra-poor and marginalized communities in India. Born in Dashashwmedh, Varanasi on 2 January 1974, she married Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi on 22 February 1992 and has a son, Kabeer Karunik, a Business management Graduate who is also a national level snooker player.

An approach to lake/pond restoration by Ramveer Tanvar, Pond Man of India

By Monami Bhattacharya*, Mansee Bal Bhargava** Lakes/ ponds are often referred to as an elixir of life, a living ecosystem that adds incremental value to the larger biota. Across the tropical landscape of the country lakes/ ponds are a common sight. Lakes/ponds have always shaped the life and livelihood of those dwelling in and around it. The dependence of the local population on these natural resources of water is noticeable since time immemorial. However, they are fading fast in both rural and urbanscapes from the popular parlance with the advance of humanity. It has been a popular notion to value land more than the waterscape and hence these nurturers of life are under stress in several areas. In many instances, these once beautiful waterscapes referred as the ‘Eye of the Earth’ are mostly now only dilapidated garbage dump yards emitting foul smell with no sign of a healthy ecosystem.

Urban crisis: Impact of erosion of democratic framework on Indian cities

By IMPRI Team On 13th February, 2023, IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi in collaboration with ActionAid Association India arranged a book launch followed by lecture series under the title “India’s G20 Presidency & the Urban Agenda for the Developing Countries”. The event was held in Indian International Centre (IIC) Annex, New Delhi. The event began with the book inauguration session, under the honorary presence of Mr Sitaram Yechury, former Rajya Sabha member and General Secretary, CPI (M), accompanied by Mr Sandeep Chachra, executive director, ActionAid Association India. Session 1 | Book Launch: ‘Cities in Transition’ by Mr Tikender Singh Panwar The book launched was “Cities in Transition”, written by Mr Tikender Singh Panwar, former Deputy Mayor, Shimla and a Senior Fellow at IMPRI. Beginning with brief remarks on his book, Mr Panwar outlined the basic subject matter and the purpose behind writing the book, which he considers as a by-product of his experien

Why rapid transition to green energy should be people-centric and community-led

Synthesis Report of IPCC AR6 is a warning call: Grounded action needed to ensure social and ecological justice: ActionAid Association note: *** The Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report is a warning call for action on the quickly closing opportunity of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees centigrade. Unless fossil fuels are rapidly retired, the impacts of climate change already faced by vulnerable communities will become difficult to handle. The IPCC report also highlights that we have the renewable energy technology, policy tools, and financial capital required for a just transition; however, “both adaptation and mitigation financing would need to increase many-fold”. The loss and damage caused by heat waves, crop failures, and rising sea levels suffered by majorities of India’s working peoples are already significant and uncompensated. News reports tell us that due to heat, India already loses around 101 billion hours yearly. E

Search This Blog