Political parties receive the most funding from unknown sources: ADR

New Delhi, Dt
Regional parties have raised Rs. The Pool Rights Group Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said in a new report. As per the ADR report, 2.312 per cent of this fund or Rs. 2.5 crore was obtained from election bonds and the regional parties contributed Rs. 2.5 crore were collected.
An analysis of the details of income tax returns of regional parties and donations to the Election Commission shows that a large portion of the revenue of political parties comes from unknown sources, the ADR report said. At present, political parties spend Rs. Details of individuals or organizations donating less than Rs 50,000 are not required. As a result, the traces of significant funding received by the parties cannot be traced and are regarded as 'unknown sources'.
The report on the contributions of AAP, IUML and LJP is available on the website, but there are significant discrepancies in the details of their annual audit report and contribution report (donations of over Rs. 50,000) and party donations from unknown sources released by the parties for the financial year 2017-20. Said the ADR.
The ADR report states that the total contribution amount disclosed by AAP, IUML and LJP through their audit report is less than the amount disclosed in their contribution report. During the financial year 2017-20, the total income of regional parties from unknown sources was Rs. 4.5 crore, which was 3.50 per cent of the total revenue declared in his audit report.
From some of the top regional parties, TRS has raised Rs. 2.15 crore, TDP Rs. 21.5 crore, YSR-CA Rs. 2.5 crore, BJD Rs. 20.5 crore and DMK Rs. 2.50 crore from undisclosed sources.
The ADR said that the details of total income of political parties from known donors are available from the contribution report submitted by the parties to the Election Commission, according to which their combined income is Rs. 12.5 crore, which is 4.5 per cent of their total income. The total income of political parties from other known sources is Rs. 12.5 crore, which is 21.5 per cent of their total income. This income includes party membership fees, bank interest, sale of publications, party levy, etc.