‘67% of donations to national parties by unknown sources’

ADR analyses income tax returns and donation statements

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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 by the Association for Democratic Reforms on Monday.

The ADR analysed the income tax returns and donation statements submitted to the Election Commission by the BJP, the Congress, the Trinamool, the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Nationalist Congress Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party.

The BSP declared zero voluntary contributions, the report said.

Total income

The total income of the parties was ₹3,749.37 crore, of which ₹951.66 crore was from known donors.

 

Electoral bonds accounted for 78% of the ₹2,512.98 crore, or 67%, income from unknown sources.

While parties are required to give details of all donations above ₹20,000, donations under ₹20,000 and those via electoral bonds remain anonymous.

Out of the total income from unknown sources, 64% went to the BJP and 29% to the Congress.

“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],” the ADR said in a statement.

In its report on national parties’ funds in 2017-2018 released in 2019, the ADR had analysed six parties, except the CPI(M) as details were not available. The report had said 53% of the income of the six parties came from unknown sources.