76% of regional parties’ income last year came from unknown sources: report

New Delhi: According to a report by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), the income of regional political parties from unknown sources in the financial year 2021-22 stood at Rs 887.55 crore, which is 76 per cent of their total income.

The report suggested that the latest figure indicates an “increase in income of parties” from unknown sources as compared to 2020-21, when the total income of regional parties stood at Rs 530.70 crore, of which Rs 263.93 crore or 49.73 per cent came from unknown sources. had come ,

In its report, the ADR said: “Donations of more than Rs 20,000 have come from known sources as the details of their donors are available through contribution reports submitted by regional parties to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

“‘Undisclosed’ sources are income declared by these parties in the annual audit reports, but without specifying the source of income.” It said undisclosed sources are income declared in the annual audit report, but the source of income is not given for donations below Rs 20,000. “Such unknown sources include ‘donations by way of electoral bonds’, ‘sale of coupons’, ‘relief funds’, ‘miscellaneous income’, ‘voluntary contributions’, ‘contributions from meetings or fronts’ etc.

“The details of the donors of such voluntary contributions are not available in the public domain,” the report said. “Total income of political parties from unknown sources (income specified in the audit report whose sources are unknown): Rs 887.551 crore, which is 76.14 per cent of the total income of the parties.”

The report also pointed out that out of this Rs 887.55 crore, 93.26 per cent or Rs 827.76 crore came from electoral bonds, while income from the sale of coupons accounted for 4.32 per cent which stood at Rs 38.35 crore and voluntary contributions below Rs 20,000 stood at 2.40 per cent. 21.29, which is Rs. Crores in income from unknown sources of 27 regional parties.

ADR said initially 54 regional (recognised) parties were considered for this analysis. “However, only 28 of them had filed their annual audit and contribution reports, while only two of the remaining parties had submitted their reports,” it said.

The report said, “While the total income of 27 regional political parties is Rs 1,165.58 crore in the financial year 2021-22, the total income of political parties from known donors is Rs 145.42 crore, which is 12.48 per cent of their total income.”

It also states that the total income of political parties from other known sources such as membership fees, bank interest, sale of publications, party levies etc. is Rs 132.61 crore or 11.38 per cent of the total income.