For the first time, the Union Budget 2017 devoted a full section (420 words) on electoral funding reforms. Yet, if these proposals, including the last-minute changes made in the Finance Bill, are critically evaluated, they come as a great disappointment. First, take a close look at some of the key announcements to improve transparency in electoral funding. It is well known that a mammoth 75-80 per cent of funding for political parties come from unknown sources. The Finance Bill that introduced amendments to the Companies Act removed the “carefully thought-about limits” on corporate donations.

Source: dna March 27, 2017 02:37 UTC