MPs for law to stop tax misuse by shady parties

New Delhi: Observing that many political parties are formed only to take tax benefits from the government, a parliamenatry committee has sought a law to revent registration of such “non-serious” outfits to prevent misuse of facilities and benefits available to registered political parties by unscrupulous elements.

“Provisions related to registration of political parties need to be made more stringent so that non-serious political parties are not able to register in the first place and if registered, their registration could be cancelled,” the department-related parliamentary standing committee on personnel, public grievances law and justice has said. The committee, headed by Congress MP Anand Sharma, further said that the possibility of regulating registration of political parties and suspension or cancellation of their registration through a law of Parliament may also be explored to prevent misuse of facilities and benefits available to registered political parties by unscrupulous elements.

The report, which was tabled in both houses of Parliament last week, said that the information given by the ECI shows that the number of political parties have proliferated over the years.

“Some do not exist on the ground. Some others have never contested the election, and some voters have been formed and registered only to take tax benefits from the government. Some political parties are not complying with the guidelines of Election Commission for submission of audited accounts,” it said welcoming the move of the commission to de-register 255 political parties out of 1,864 as those parties had existed only on papers and had never contested any election since their formation.

The committee expressed its happiness over the digitisation of electoral rolls.

“This is a welcome step towards purification of electoral rolls in the country.” The committee said it was of the view that linking voters with the Aadhar card number may further help prevent bogus voters. “The committee though is aware that Election Commission of India and the State Election Commissions are independent bodies, yet an initiative should be taken to prepare common digital electoral roll,” the report added.