There was an intense debate around the introduction of electoral bonds by the government. Data obtained from SBI reveals that there is hardly any demand for electoral bonds of smaller denomination while 99.9% of bonds sold in terms of amount are of Rs 10 lakh & Rs 1 crore denomination. The Electoral Bonds were first […]
Recent Posts
Know your candidate: 15% Karnataka poll hopefuls face criminal charges
The Karnataka state polls are scheduled for May 12. Credit: Wikimedia Commons. By Anil Verma With only a few days remaining before the Karnataka state polls scheduled for May 12, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) analysed the affidavits of about 96% of the candidates. The study revealed some shocking facts about gender disparity, as well as the […]
The Worst Fears About Electoral Bonds Have Been Confirmed
An investigation by The Quint has revealed that the much-hailed electoral bonds, which were to have ushered in an era of taint-free financing for political parties, carry a secret number “visible on the right top corner of the original document showing fluorescence when examined under Ultra Violet (UV) Light.” The saga of electoral bonds started with the Budget […]
राजनीतिक दलों का रवैया
Text: जब से उच्चतम न्यायालय की पांच सदस्यीय पीठ ने संविधान के 99वें संशोधन को असंवैधानिक घोषित करते हुए राष्ट्रीय न्यायिक नियुक्ति आयोग को खारिज किया और कोलेजियम व्यवस्था का पक्ष लिया तब से यह विषय लगातार चर्चा में है। अधिकतर टिप्पणीकारों ने इसे या तो सरकार और न्यायपालिका के बीच का संघर्ष कहा है […]
Debate on ADR’s PIL to bring Political Parties under RTI
राष्ट्रीय राजनीतिक दलों को RTI के दायरे में लाने के मामले में सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने केंद्र सरकार, चुनाव आयोग और 6 राष्ट्रीय राजनीतिक दलों को नोटिस देकर 6 हफ्तों में जवाब मांगा है। इन पार्टियों में बीजेपी, कांग्रेस, एनसीपी, बीसपी, सीपीआई और सीपीएम शामिल हैं। एडीआर ने सुप्रीम कोर्ट में याचिका दाखिल की थी। वकील […]
Sarokaar – NGOs and Government: Intentions & Actions
The government recently revoked the licenses of 4470 NGOs. These NGOs were charged with violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Many prestigious institutes fall under the ambit of this order including University of Delhi, JNU, Punjab University among others. Last year also, the government revoked the licenses of 8,975 NGOs and till now […]
Sarokaar – MPLAD Scheme: Application and Rationale
The recently published report by India Spend has presented some startling figures regarding the expenditure of funds received from MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) by MPs for development work in their respective constituencies. It has been stated that in the past one year, MPLADS funds of 298 members of Lok Sabha have remained unutilised. […]
MPs Of The 16th Lok Sabha Took Home An Average Of 20.5 Lakh Rupees In The First 10 Months In Salary & Allowances
The 16th Lok Sabha seems to have done better than the 15th Lok Sabha in various parameters like questions asked, debates participated etc. It also has a better attendance record. The 16th Lok Sabha so far has a 85% attendance record while 43 MPs have a 100% attendance record. On an average, an MP of […]
If We Can’t Respect The Governor’s Office, Let’s Abolish It
Subsequent governments have degraded the constitutional position. It’s time we stop the humiliation. Imagine you are holding what you think is a reasonably respectable job. You get a notification from the authorities that: * You will not leave your state without prior permission. * Even “in emergent or extraordinary circumstances” when you have to leave your […]
Modi is wrong when he claims the political class has opened itself to scrutiny
All major parties regally ignore the Chief Information Commission’s ruling that they can be questioned under the RTI Act. Claiming to be fortunate to belong to a “community that is under constant scrutiny”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a joint conference of chief ministers of states and chief justices of high courts on Sunday that […]