INR 689 cr. income of national political parties from unknown sources

Eastern Mirror Desk Dimapur, Jan. 23: In a startling revelation, election watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has said in a report that the total income of six national parties in financial year 2017-18 from unknown sources is a whopping INR 689.44 crore, which is 53% of the total income of the parties. Out of INR 689.44 crore total income from unknown sources in 2017-18, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accounts for INR 553.38 crore, which is 80% of total such income. INR 354.22 crore or 51.38% of the income from unknown sources came from voluntary contributions (below INR 20,000), while donations from electoral bonds is INR 215 crore or 31%. The earnings from sale of coupons declared by INC and NCP formed 16.78% of such income. In the last 14 years (2004-05 to 2017-18), the national parties have collected INR 8,721.14 crore from unknown sources. The report by ADR is based on an analysis of Income Tax returns and donations statements filed by the six national political parties (less CPM) with the Election Commission of India (ECI). It said more than 50% funds of political parties is from unknown sources as it is not required to reveal the name of individuals or organisations giving less than INR 20,000 and those donated via electoral bonds. As per the report, the total income of six national political parties barring the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in 2017-18 stood at INR 1,293.05 crore, out of which INR 467.13 crore or 36% is from known donors and INR 136.48 crore or 11% is from other known sources like sale of assets, membership fees, bank interest, sale of publications, and party levy. The total donation of above INR Rs 20,000 made to the national political parties during the financial year 2017-18 was INR 469.89 crore from 4201 donations. Out of this, INR 437.04 crore was declared by the BJP from 2,977 donations while Congress declared receiving INR 26.658 crore from 777 donations, NCP - INR 2.087 crore (42 donations), CPM - INR 2.756 crore (196 donations), CPI - INR 1.146 crore (176 donations), and AITC - INR 0.20 crore (33 donations). However, BSP declared that the party did not receive any donations above Rs 20,000. ADR stated in its report that the national political parties have been brought under the RTI Act by the CIC ruling in June 2013 but it is still not complied. So, income from “unknown sources will remain unknown.” “Full transparency is, unfortunately, not possible under the current laws, and it is only the RTI that can keep citizens informed,” it said.