No decision on mandatory audit of donation received by parties

Government today said there is no decision, as of now, for mandatory audit of donations received by political parties.

Law Minister Kapil Sibal informed Lok Sabha that there are “suggestions” for making audit and publication of the accounts of the political parties by the auditor approved by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

“Political parties file their income tax returns as per law and there is no decision, as of now for mandatory audit of donations received by the political parties,” he said in a written reply.

Sibal recalled that the Indrajit Gupta Committee had recommended introduction of partial state funding of elections. “However, due to diverse opinion among political parties on the issue, the recommendation could not be implemented,” he said.

Under Section 29-B of the Representation of the People Act, a political party may accept any amount of contribution from individuals and companies — other than government companies — which are offered voluntarily to it.

Under Section 29-C of the R P Act, parties are required to submit a report with the Election Commission containing details of the contributors who have contributed over Rs 20,000 in a financial year.

To another question, Sibal informed that there are 1,583 political parties registered with the EC as on November 4, 2013.

Of these parties, six are recognised national parties and 46 recognised state parties while the rest are unrecognised registered parties.

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