electoral bonds: The curious case of Madanlal Ltd’s donations
The now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme did away with norms on how much a company could donate, how it could donate and how it needed to report such donations. That spurred small nondescript firms into action. Key Points
mintEC makes fresh electoral bonds data public; BJP encashed bonds worth nearly Rs 7,000 crore
The Election Commission released previously sealed information on electoral bonds, as per the Supreme Court's directive. This data, covering transactions before April 12, 2019, complements details revealed last week. Political parties submitted this information under the court's interim order, subsequently deposited with the Supreme Court and now disclosed digitally by the EC. Key Points
Economic Timeselectoral bonds: CEC Rajiv Kumar says, ‘In democracy, there is no scope for hiding things’
CEC Rajiv Kumar emphasized the need for a system to regulate unaccounted donations, and ensure donor privacy, and transparency in electoral funding. The Supreme Court scrapped the anonymous electoral bonds scheme, calling it ‘unconstitutional’. Key Points
mintelectoral trusts since 2014 have also weighed in favour of BJP
The examination of corporate donations to political parties via electoral bonds reveals significant contributions to the ruling BJP through trusts like Prudent. Major donors include Serum Institute of India, Greenko energy, Essel Mining, Vedanta, Airtel Bharti, Torrent, Tatas, and Reliance. Key Points
Economic Timeselectoral Bonds not perfect but better, it is at least transparent, says FM Sitharaman
Sitharaman's remarks come amidst controversies surrounding the electoral bonds scheme, which allows anonymous donations to political parties. Critics have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and the potential for misuse. Key Points
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electoral Bonds: Freeze BJP bank accounts, conduct special investigation, says Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge
The electoral bond data released by the Election Commission of India showed that the BJP encashed by far the highest amount of EBs (Rs.6,060.52 crore in total) among political parties. Key Points
Business TodayShould loss-making, shell firms be barred from political funding? Here's what FM had to say
Sitharaman, who was at the India Today conclave on Friday, said: "If corporates can fund, they should fund. But under which law or scheme of things. All that will have to be worked out. Nobody is saying parties cannot be funded." Key Points
Business Todayelectoral Bonds scrapped, what's next? FM Nirmala Sitharaman comments over poll bond controversy
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responded to the electoral Bonds controversy, suggesting that assumptions are shaping the discourse. At the India Today Conclave, she acknowledged imperfections in the electoral bond system but highlighted the need to learn from the Supreme Court's ruling for greater transparency. The system, though imperfect, is an improvement from the past, where money wasn't routed through bank accounts. Key Points
Economic Timeselectoral bond data: Future Gaming and Megha Engineering top donors to political parties
The data release provides details of electoral bonds worth over Rs 12,000 crore. The information was provided by State Bank of India (SBI), the sole seller of the bonds, and published by the ECI. Key Points
Economic TimesSC Bar Association writes to President Murmu, seeks holding back of SC's judgment declaring electoral bond
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has urged President Droupadi Murmu for a Presidential Reference in the electoral Bonds case. SCBA President Adish Aggarwala's letter emphasizes the court's judgment deeming the current form of electoral bonds unconstitutional. Aggarwala defends the legislative intention behind the scheme, arguing against judgments that create a constitutional stalemate and undermine parliamentary authority. Key Points
Economic Times
electoral bonds: Key Supreme Court hearing today as SBI, NGO file petitions
Electoral bonds case: A Supreme Court bench, headed by CJI DY Chandrachud, will assemble at 10.30am to hear the two petitions. | Latest News India Key Points
Hindustan TimesSBI requests SC to extend deadline for sharing electoral bond data till June 30
As March 6 approaches, the State Bank of India has submitted an application to the Supreme Court requesting an extension until June 30, 2024, to provide information regarding electoral Bonds to the Election Commission. According to a Supreme Court ruling, SBI is obligated to furnish this information to the ECI by March 6. Key Points
Economic TimesUP Lok Sabha Elections 2024 dates, schedule, phase, constituency, candidates, details: All you need to kno
Uttar Pradesh, a pivotal player in Indian politics, braces for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. With 80 seats, it wields significant influence, drawing major parties into fierce competition. The BJP-led NDA eyes continued dominance, while rival alliances strategize. Uttar Pradesh's electoral calendar, constituency demographics, and candidate dynamics shape the battleground, highlighting its pivotal role in shaping India's political landscape. Key Points
Economic TimesWill we get the names of electoral bonds donors on March 13?
India News: Find out if we will finally get the names of electoral bonds donors on March 13. Stay updated with the latest news and developments. Key Points
Times Of Indiaelectoral bonds can now redeem themselves and Supreme Court. Anonymity cloak set to come off
Electoral bonds are now set to bring transparency in political funding, but not in the way Arun Jaitley had claimed. The real deal will be when SBI reveals details of who donated how much to which political party. Key Points
ThePrint
Supreme Court strikes down electoral bonds scheme: Explained in 5 points
The Supreme Court said the electoral bonds scheme was violative of the right to information, impacting free speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. We break down the verdict for you in five points. Key Points
India TodayOver 67,000 Delhi teenagers to vote for first time in Lok Sabha polls
Over 67,000 Delhi teenagers will exercise their voting rights for the first time in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The electoral roll in Delhi has undergone a summary revision exercise resulting in the deletion of almost four lakh names. Find out more about the changes in the registered voters and the progress in women's electoral inclusion. Key Points
Times Of IndiaVedanta Ltd approves Rs 200-crore political contribution
Vedanta passed the resolution on November 4, just two days before the 29th tranche of electoral bond sales was launched. These sales ended November 20. The window for the sale of electoral bonds opened ahead of elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram. Key Points
Economic TimesAmid cash haul recovery from Dhiraj Sahu, ex-RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan seeks more transparency on electoral bonds
Rajan is in India to release his new book, Breaking the Mould. The new book, which Rajan co-authored with economist Rohit Lamba, is about their vision of the Indian economy. Key Points
Business TodaySupreme Court questions 'selective confidentiality' in poll bonds
The Supreme Court of India expressed concerns about the selective anonymity/confidentiality associated with electoral bonds. During a hearing on petitions challenging the electoral bond scheme, the Chief Justice and other Justices questioned why the ruling party tends to receive a substantial portion of donations through these bonds, raising the possibility of expectations linked to these donations. Key Points
Economic Times
'Voters should be given prior notice before deletion from electoral roll': SC affirms ECI submission
SC quoted an ECI letter on preventing 'wrongful deletions'. Petitioners had demanded that rule allowing deletion of voter without notice or opportunity to be heard be declared 'unconstitutional. Key Points
ThePrintHow your right to know gets boost from Supreme Court's electoral bond verdict
So far, the details of donors of electoral bonds have been exempt from RTI. Today's Supreme Court decision comes as a shot in the arm to your right to know. Here is how. Key Points
India TodayCongress alleges black money routed to BJP's accounts through electoral bonds
The Congress on Sunday charged the government with engaging in quid pro quo for receiving electoral bonds and conspiring to route black money into the BJP's accounts through the scheme. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were answerable on the electoral bond scam . Key Points
Economic TimesSBI submits details of electoral bonds to Election Commission of India
The State Bank of India (SBI) has submitted the details of electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India after the Supreme Court rejected its extension request. The apex court had declared the electoral bond scheme as 'unconstitutional' and scrapped the scheme of anonymous political funding. SBI is the only authorised financial institution under the scheme. Key Points
Economic Timeselectoral Bonds case: SC assures listing of ADR's contempt plea against SBI, after bank's 'mala fide' exte
Electoral Bonds case: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday said that the contempt plea filed by ADR against the State Bank of India (SBI) in the electoral bonds case will be heard on March 11, 2024. ADR claimed that the plea is mala fide and shows a deliberate disobedience of the Constitution Bench's judgment. Key Points
Economic Times
‘Narendra Modi has...’: Congress links SBI electoral bond move to LS polls
Mallikarjun Kharge called the electoral bonds scheme opaque and undemocratic. He said the BJP government is using the bank as a shield. | Latest News India Key Points
Hindustan Timeselectoral bonds: ‘Bonds proof of Modi’s corrupt policies,’ says Rahul Gandhi after SC landmark verdict
Electoral Bonds are like bearer bonds, which could be purchased by any individual, company, firm or association of persons for the purpose of contribution of funds to political parties of their choice. The bonds were introduced in 2017 by the ruling government as a Finance Bill and were implemented in 2018. Key Points
Business TodayBJP’s OBC face in Karnataka K S Eshwarappa retires from poll fray
K S Eshwarappa is third BJP MLA to announce retirement from poll politics in Karnataka. There is speculation that the 74-year-old BJP veteran may have retired from electoral politics to clear the path for his son K.E. Kanthesh who is an aspirant for the party ticket for Shivamogga. Key Points
The HinduState Bank of India submits details of electoral bonds to the ECI in compliance with SC order
The SBI has issued electoral Bonds worth Rs 16,518 crore since its inception in 2018. In accordance with the SC order, ECI will have to publish these details on its website by 15 March. Key Points
ThePrintPM Modi counters claims of BJP 'setback' due to SBI electoral bond data release: 'There may be imperfections but...'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to the electoral bonds case on Sunday. He questioned if any agency could share details of expenditures made during the election before 2014. Key Points
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