Political parties under RTI The Congress Party is shouting from roof tops, claiming credit for the ushering in of the path breaking legislation. It was also the same party trying to curtail the freedom under the Act, because it has led to unearthing of major scams. Now it is also raising doubts about its efficacy and consequent implications. The BJP is the only party at the moment to welcome the decision. The greatest fountain head of corruption is the political system and the party. They not want accountability and transparency as to how the money comes and is spent. It is said the donations to the parties from known sources does not amount to even 11% at the highest point. The unaccounted donations are making up the coffers of the political parties The sums of such donations to the principal and other minor parties are mind boggling, running into crores, The donors are mostly industrial Houses, companies and business establishment compared to individuals, which stands to reap rich dividends by change in policies, regulations and this will indirectly enable them to make good the loss. Closer to the election process the prices of all essential commodities hit the roof, as one understands that the extras go to the funds of all political parties The amount of over Rs20000 acknowledged with receipts is not substantial and this helps to to cover the donations. Every donation must be supported with the receipts. Alternatively all financial transactions be uploaded for public viewing, as in the case of the AAM ADMI party. The knee jerk reaction, protests of the Congress party and of all the parties CPI-M that it will undermine Democratic Institutions is hollow. The political parties have many skeletons to hide On the contrary it will strengthen the accountability and transparency
The decision of Central Information Commission is a studied decision that political parties are public authorities performing public functions, even though they may not be Govt. departments, receiving aid from the Govt. but are indirectly and substantially funded and include Congress, BJP, NCP, BSP, CPI-M, CPI As of now the political parties are bound to provide information on immovable property and income, which earlier had to be obtained from Govt, departments, the urban development Ministry and I.Tax Department. With the advancement of computers the information can easily be compiled and divulged at the press of a button The directions are to appoint PIO and provide information within 6 weeks There is no doubt that the interested parties will try to wriggle out of this path breaking judgement on transparency, accountability, The public will know the double standards of the parties Nelson Lopes Chinchinim