Analysis of Donations Received by National Parties – FY 2013-14

-          Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the only National Party which is yet to submit its donations report to the ECI

-          90% of donations to National Parties from corporates/ business houses

-          The total donations of INC, NCP and CPI during FY 2013-14 increased by Rs 62.69 crores, an increase of 517%, from the previous financial year, 2012-13

-          Donations to CPM reduced from Rs 3.81 crores during FY 2012-13 to Rs 2.097 crores during FY 2013-14 (45% decrease)

-          A total of Rs 3.81 crores (84%) was donated by known party members of INC and Rs 1.82 crores (89%) was donated by known party members of CPM

On the declaration of donations by the National Parties, Prof. Jagdeep Chhokar, Founder-Trustee of ADR, has stated, “Ninety per cent of the donations being from corporates shows the increasing hold of the corporate sector on political parties which is somewhat disconcerting. The ruling party not submitting its donation report is not a good sign as it possibly indicates a lack of respect for integrity of institutions which is not healthy for a democracy.”

Political parties are required to submit their contributions report before the due date for furnishing a return of their income for FY 2013-14 which was 31^st October, 2014. ECI received the donations report of BSP on 13^th Sept,’14, of NCP on 17^th Sept,’14, of CPI on 23^rdSept,’14 and of CPM and INC on 30^th Sept,’14. BSP declared that the party did not receive any donations above Rs 20,000 during FY 2013-14, as it has declared in the past.

Executive Summary

I.            Number of donors contributing above Rs 20,000 to National Parties from all over India (FY 2013-14)

a.       The total amount of donations above Rs 20,000 received by National Political Parties during FY 2013-14 is calculated from the donations report submitted to the Election Commission annually.

b.      The total amount of donations above Rs 20,000 declared by the National Parties was Rs. 76.93 crores, from 881 donations.

c.       On an average, INC received Rs 11.70 lakhs per unique donor*, NCP: Rs 1 crore, CPI: Rs 3.23 lakhs and CPM: Rs 4.03 lakhs per unique donor.

Party	Total number of donations	Total number of unique donors (a)	Total amount contributed (b)	Average amount of donation per unique donor (b/a)
INC	743	509	Rs 59,58,37,728  (~Rs 59.58 crores)	Rs 11,70,605 (~ Rs 11.70 lakhs)
NCP	15	14	Rs 14,02,00,000  (~Rs 14.02 crores)	Rs 1,00,14,286 (~ Rs 1 crore)
CPI	53	38	Rs 1,22,81,544  (~Rs 1.22 crores)	Rs 3,23,199 (~ Rs 3.23 lakhs)
CPM	70	52	Rs 2,09,74,666  (~Rs 2.09 crores)	Rs 4,03,359 (~ Rs 4.03 lakhs)
Total	881	613	Rs 76.93 crores	Rs 12.54 lakhs

                                           *Unique donor: A donor who might or might not have made multiple donations during FY 2013-14

 II.            Comparison of donations received by National Parties during FY 2012-13 and FY 2013-14

a.       Donations to INC increased from Rs 11.72 crores during FY 2012-13 to Rs 59.58 crores during FY 2013-14 (408% increase).

b.      In FY 2012-13, donations declared by BJP was more than the aggregate declared by the INC, NCP, CPI and CPM during FY 2013-14. BJP had declared a total of Rs 83.19 crores received above Rs 20,000 during FY 2012-13.

                                        

III.            Top 3 donors to National Parties

                                                     

a.       Bharti Group’s Satya Electoral Trust donated the maximum amount of Rs 36.5 crores to INC followed by A.V.Patil Foundation which donated Rs 5 crores and Bharat Forge Ltd. which donated Rs 2.50 crores. It is to be noted that none of the above 3 donors donated to INC during FY 2012-13.

b.      The top 3 donors to NCP were Satya Electoral Trust (Rs 4 crores), followed by Shirke Infrastructure (Rs 2 crores) andSerum Institute of India Ltd. (Rs 1.50 crores). It is to be noted that none of the above 3 donors donated to NCP during FY 2012-13.

c.    Donations to CPI were by means of collection, levy and membership fees. Maximum amount was from Gurudas Dasgupta (Rs 25 lakhs) followed by Andhra Pradesh State Council, CPI (Rs 14.96 lakhs) and Kerala State Council, CPI (Rs 11.53 lakhs).

IV.            Donors from Corporates/ business sectors Vs. Individual donors

a.       35 donations from corporate/business sectors amounting to Rs 55.02 crores were made to INC while 708 individualdonors donated Rs 4.56 crores.

b.      13 donations from corporate/ business sectors aggregating to Rs 14 crores were made to NCP while 2 individual donors donated Rs 2 lakhs.

c.    While 4 donations to CPI were made from Unions and a Memorial Trust which aggregated to Rs 2.75 lakhs, CPM received a total of Rs 5 lakhs from 4 corporate/ business houses during FY 2013-14.

                                                                                             

V.            Donations by party members for FY 2013-14

a.       A total of Rs 3.81 crores (84%) was donated by known party members of INC. Top donation was made by Shri Hassen Lyngdoh (Rs 66.37 lakhs) followed by Shri Mukul Sangma (Rs 10 lakhs) and Shri W.H.Pala (Rs 7.02 lakhs).

b.      A total of Rs 1.82 crores (89%) was donated by known party members of CPM. Top 3 donations of Rs 9.60 lakhs each was made by Shri Jarna Das followed by Shri K N Balagopal and Shri P Rajeev.

c.       There were no donations above Rs 20,000 from known party members of NCP whereas CPI members declareddonations collected via contributions and levy.

VI.            State-wise donations to National Parties

a.   A total of Rs 45.49 crores was donated to the National Parties from Delhi by both corporates and individuals together followed by Rs 18.12 crores from Maharashtra and Rs 3.01 crores from Gujarat.

b.      Of the donations received, INC received maximum donations from Delhi (Rs 39.05 crores), as did CPI (Rs 54.6 lakhs) andCPM (Rs 1.88 crores) while NCP received maximum donations from Maharashtra (Rs 8.02 crores).

                                                         

VII.            Incomplete disclosure of information in the donations report

a.       INC has not followed the format prescribed by the ECI in declaring its donations details. The column for declaring PAN details of donors is not provided in the contributions reports. Without the PAN details, it would be difficult to link the donors against their donations and hence trace the money trail.

b.      A total of Rs 2.88 lakhs was declared by INC as an outstanding amount thereby not declaring the mode of payment of these funds.

c.       A total of Rs 17.40 lakhs was declared by the National Parties without disclosing mode of payment of these donations.

d.      A total of Rs 6.66 crores was declared by INC, CPI and CPM as amounts received by cheque/DD without disclosing corresponding cheque/DD numbers, name of the bank/ branch on which the cheque was drawn, etc. which would aid in tracking the donations. These incomplete details account for 9% of the total donations received in cheque/DD/ fund transfer.

Recommendations of ADR

a.       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.

b.      There is ambiguity in cash donations declared by INC which amounted to Rs 1.578 crores in FY 2013-14. While CPI has declared that the party’s donations by individuals were by means of collections/ levy/ memberships, INC has not made any such remarks though it is part of the prescribed format of the Election Commission of India. Thus, there is a need for clarity in large amounts of cash donations by individuals.   

c.       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 75% of the source of funds to be unknown, but at present it is so in India. 

d.   The National and regional political parties must provide all information on their finances under the Right to Information Act. This will go a long way to strengthen political parties, elections and democracy. For more information, please refer to http://adrindia.org/content/political-parties-unitedly-boycott-cic-hearing-non-compliance-political-parties-under-rti

For details of 'Multiple donations made by top donors', cash donations to National Parties and list of top donors to the parties, please refer to the document attached with the release.

Regards​

​

Media and Journalist Helpline +91 80103 94248 Email: adr@adrindia.org

Maj Gen Anil Verma (Retd.) Head National Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms +91 8826479910 anilverma@adrindia.org

Prof Jagdeep Chhokar IIM Ahmedabad (Retd) Founder Member National Election Watch, Association for Democratic Reforms +919999620944 jchhokar@gmail.com

Prof Trilochan Sastry IIM Bangalore Founder Member, National Election Watch, Association for Democratic Reforms +919448353285, trilochans@iimb.ernet.in

Abe re-elected Japan PM, set to name new defense minister

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was re-elected by parliament on Wednesday, and a new cabinet is set to be announced. Defense Minister Akinori Eto, who has faced questions over his use of political funds, will be replaced by lawmaker Gen Nakatani, Reuters reported, citing its sources. Nakatani, a former defense minister, is in favor of Japan having the ability to hit enemy bases pre-emptively in the face of imminent attack. The rest of Abe’s cabinet could remain unchanged.

Former President George H.W. Bush hospitalized in Texas

Former US President George H.W. Bush was hospitalized at Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas on Tuesday night. "The former president, age 90, will be held for observation, again as a precaution," the statement read. He spent nearly two months at the same hospital in January 2013 for a bronchitis-related cough and other health issues. He can no longer use his legs and was seen seated in a wheelchair at an event in November at Texas A&M University with his son, former President George W. Bush.

Italy sends military jets to Baltic States in NATO air force rotation

Italy is set to send four Eurofighter Typhoons and a military transport aircraft KC 767 to the Lithuanian military base of Zokniai, reports TASS citing Lithuania’s Ministry of Defense. This comes as NATO rotates forces; the move is to relieve the Portuguese military with their four F-16 fighters and Canadian forces that have four F/A -18 Hornets. Later, four Polish MiGs-29 will join the Italian planes. NATO countries provide air security for the Baltic States as they don’t have enough planes to do it themselves. The contingent changes every four months. It will be the first mission in the Baltics for the Italian Air Force. The official ceremony will be held on December 31.

France’s Hollande says one person ‘clinically dead’ after Monday car rampage

A person has died from injuries sustained in a rampaging car incident the previous evening, French President Francois Hollande said on Tuesday, but his aides later clarified the victim was “clinically dead,” AFP reported. The outrage in the western city of Nantes was one of three apparently unrelated yet brutal attacks that have hit different parts of France since Saturday. Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on Tuesday that hundreds of additional military personnel would be ordered onto the streets to reinforce a routine deployment of security forces.

Islamic State targets in Syria, Iraq hit by 10 more strikes

The US-led coalition launched 10 more strikes against the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) in Syria and Iraq on Tuesday, the US military said. The seven strikes, four in Syria and three in Iraq, destroyed fighting positions, Reuters said. They also struck a unit of Islamic State fighters as well as some of the militants’ oil collection equipment, according to the Combined Joint Task Force.

Al-Jazeera network shuts down its Egypt channel

The Qatari-owned Al-Jazeera news network has shut down its Egyptian channel, resolving a major source of tension between the two states, AP said. Mubasher Misr will be incorporated into a new region-wide station. Monday’s decision came two days after a Qatari envoy met Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, the first such meeting since he was elected in June. El-Sissi’s office said Egypt hoped the meeting was the beginning of a “new era” that puts the past disagreements behind them.

US-led strikes kill more than 1,000 jihadists in Syria

US-led airstrikes in Syria have killed more than 1,000 jihadists in the past three months, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Nearly all of them were from the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), AFP reported, citing the monitoring group. At least 1,171 have been killed in the Arab and international airstrikes since September 23, including 1,119 jihadists from the IS and Al-Nusra Front, the Observatory said. Among those killed were reportedly 1,046 members of the IS.

Cameroon military seizes 84 children, kills dozens at Boko Haram training camp

Cameroon’s army said it had dismantled a training camp for the Boko Haram Islamist group, arresting or killing dozens of militants. The military also seized 84 children who were being trained there. Local people in northwest Cameroon alerted the military on Saturday to the camp in Guirvidig locality, near the border with northeastern Nigeria. The Rapid Intervention Battalion launched an attack and arrested 45 of the trainers and killed many more, according to a spokesman for Cameroon’s Defense Ministry.

290 heritage sites in Syria damaged by war – UN

Satellite imagery indicates that 290 cultural heritage sites in Syria have been damaged by the civil war, the UN’s training and research arm (UNITAR) said on Tuesday. UNITAR found that 24 sites were completely destroyed, 189 severely or moderately damaged and a further 77 possibly damaged, Reuters reported. National and international efforts for the protection of these areas “need to be scaled up in order to save as much as possible of this important heritage” for humankind, the organization said.

Algeria Army confirms it killed jihadist chief behind beheading

The Algerian military confirmed on Tuesday that it has killed the head of the jihadist Jund al-Khilafa group that decapitated Frenchman Herve Gourdel in September, AFP said. The body of Abdelmalek Gouri, who claimed responsibility for the beheading of Gourdel, was identified at the end of an operation in the town of Isser, the army said, adding that three terrorists were eliminated.

Second try to elect Greek president fails

Greek MPs failed on Tuesday to elect a president in a second vote in parliament, bringing an early general election a step closer, AFP said. The government candidate, EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, fell 32 votes short of the required 200 votes. A third and final vote will be held on December 29.

Ukraine’s parliament votes for abandoning non-bloc status

Ukraine’s parliament voted for abandoning the country’s non-bloc status on Tuesday. The legislation was approved by 303 MPs, TASS said. President Petro Poroshenko submitted a bill to the Verkhovnaya Rada last week, saying that the refusal to join NATO in 2010 was the “biggest mistake of the former Ukrainian leadership.”

5 bomb blasts in Yemeni capital’s old quarter, 1 killed

Five bombs reportedly exploded on Tuesday in an old quarter in Sanaa, where many supporters of the Shiite Muslim Houthi movement live. A member of the group was killed and another person wounded, Reuters said, citing a senior security official in Yemen. No one has claimed responsibility for the bombings. The Houthis have been fighting the Sunni Islamist Al-Qaeda and allied tribesmen since its gunmen captured Sanaa in September.

Australia PM warns another attack ‘likely’

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Tuesday said another attack was likely, as mourners paid tribute to the victims of the fatal Sydney cafe siege, AFP said. “A briefing from the security agencies today indicated that there has been a heightened level of terrorist chatter,” Abbott said after a meeting of his National Security Committee. “It’s important that people remain alert and aware as well as reassured that our police and security agencies are doing everything they humanly can to keep us safe,” the PM said.

Dear All,

ECBs stand at US$ 3.5bn during Nov 2014

Indian firms have raised US$ 3.5 bn through external commercial borrowings (ECBs) in the month of November 2014 as against US$ 2.8 bn during October 2014 by automatic and approval route. The borrowings stood at US$ 3.5 bn in Nov 2014 as compared to US$ 2.2 bn in Nov 2013.

     External commercial borrowings (ECBs) since April 2011                                                                               (US$bn)

 Source: PHD Research Bureau, compiled from RBI

 Note: ECB contains both automatic and approval routes

India has received gross ECBs worth around US$267.9 bn between FY2001 and FY2015 (till Nov 2014).

             Gross ECB Inflows                                                                                                                                  (US$bn)

Source: PHD Research Bureau, compiled from RBI *Data pertains till Nov 2014

Note: ECB contains both automatic and approval routes

A closer look at the ECBs pattern reveals that the lion’s share in ECB during the month of November 2014 is held by Refinancing of earlier ECB contributing to about 45% of the total, followed by Power at around 18% and Refinancing of Rupee loans at about 14%.

      Pattern showing ECBs during Nov 2014                                                                            (% share in total)

  Source: PHD Research Bureau, compiled from RBI, Note: ECB contains automatic and approval route both.

Genius launches new mini Wi-Fi camera – the Life-Shot FHD300 

~click richer images with this attachable & stunning, portable camera~

Genius, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of computer peripherals and smart phone accessories, has announced the launch of its new mini Wi-Fi camera– the Life-Shot FHD300. This “attach it, wear it” camera lets you take videos, photos and create a time-lapse video while you are walking, running, riding a bike, in the rain, and underwater! Multi- tasking at it’s best!

The camera has a built-in Wi-Fi feature that lets you connect to your smartphone to transfer videos and photos. Just download the Genius Life-Shot App to your Android or iOS smartphone and you’re ready to go. Featuring an 8MP Sony sensor, the Life-Shot FHD 300 lets you take richer and vibrant images. The camera comes with a bike mount, tripod mount, clip strap, USB charging cable and  IPX8 certification waterproof case

Commenting on the launch, Mr Gaurav Mathur, Country Head India, Genius,said, ““At Genius, it is our  constant endeavor to make the everyday lives of our customers easy, through cutting edge R&D in technology and product design. The all new Life-Shot FHD300 from Genius, is a truly versatile and easy to use smart camera, that lets you capture moments you love, on the go, while seamlessly sharing with your smartphone, through its in-built Wi-Fi feature. Attachable and portable, this stunning camera is available for both iOS and Android devices and is a great every day companion.”

Priced at Rs.13, 000 (MSRP), the Life-Shot FHD300 is available at over 10,000 plus retail outlets of all formats.

Monday 22 December 2014 ब्रॉडकास्ट इंडस्ट्री अब उड़ान भरने को तैयार है, नौकरियों की होगी भरमार: उदय शंकर नई सरकार को लेकर उम्मीदों से भरे स्टार इंडिया के सीईओ और इंडियन ब्रॉडकास्टिंग फेडरेशन के चेयरमैन उदय शंकर का मानना है... जल्द ही नए वेंचर के साथ एक बार फिर मीडिया में हलचल मचाएंगे मीडिया मुगल राघव बहल वरिष्ठ पत्रकार और TV18 के संस्थापक राघव बहल 22 साल के लंबे अनुभव के बाद एकबार फिर अपनी नई पारी के लिए तैयार हैं... विनोद कापड़ी की ‘मिस टनकपुर हाजिर हों’ को मिला FOX Star और Star TV का साथ मीडिया और मीडिया से बाहर भी वरिष्ठ पत्रकार विनोद कापड़ी के फैंस और फ्रेंड्स के लिए बड़ी खबर है... रेडियो सिटी के अधिग्रहण से जागरण प्रकाशन को क्या फायदा होगा, पढ़िए विश्लेषण... एफएम रेडियो के लिए तीसरे फेज की नीलामी होने वाली है और देश में एफएफ रेडियो भी आने वाले महीनों में विस्तार के लिए तैयार है... हैकर्स की धमकी से सोनी ने हटाए सोशल मीडिया से 'द इंटरव्यू' फिल्म के कंटेंट सोनी पिक्चर्स एंटरटेनमेंट के मालिकों ने 'द इंटरव्यू' फिल्म की क्रिसमस पर रिलीज टालने के बाद अब सोशल मीडिया पेज से... युवा पत्रकारों के लिए अब दिल्ली मेट्रो में है नौकरी पाने का सुनहरा मौका मास कम्युनिकेशन की डिग्री रखने वाले युवा पत्रकारों के लिए दिल्ली मेट्रो रेल कॉरपोरेशन लिमिटेड में नौकरी पाने का सुनहरा मौका है... वरिष्ठ पत्रकार दीपक चौरसिया के पिता का निधन इलेक्ट्रॉनिक मीडिया के वरिष्ठ पत्रकार दीपक चौरसिया के पिता श्री लक्ष्मण प्रसाद चौरसिया का बीती रात निधन हो गया... वरिष्ठ पत्रकार एस बालासुब्रमण्यन का निधन तमिल पब्लिकेशंस के “विकटन” ग्रुप के चेयरमैन एस बालासुब्रमण्यन का बीते शुक्रवार को निधन हो गया... कल्पतरु अखबार में छंटनी का दौर जारी, पीयूष शर्मा बने सिटी इंचार्ज... आगरा के कल्पतरु अखबार में छंटनी का दौर लगातार जारी है। मुद्रक, प्रकाशक और पुराने संपादक के जाते ही कल्पतरु में नई टीम ने पुराने लोगों को हटाने का कार्य शुरू किया था... आतिश श्रीवास्तव ने दिया NewsX से इस्तीफा, टीवी 18 के साथ नई पारी न्यूजX के नेशनल ब्यूरो चीफ आतिश श्रीवास्तव ने न्यूज एक्स से इस्तीफा दे दिया है, बहुत जल्द वो सीएनएन आईबीएन के साथ अपने...