Budget cap on political funding ‘welcome move’

SHILLONG: The cap on donations to political parties as suggested in the Union Budget 2017, which was presented on Wednesday, assumes significance in Meghalaya, which is a big source of cash for national parties, as per a report compiled by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR).
The ADR report shows Karnataka clinching the top position with Rs 80 lakh political funding in the last fiscal. Meghalaya stands second with Rs 21.54 lakh followed by Delhi.
UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said “it is a known fact what role money plays in the democratic process” and the new rule would deter many who want to enter politics with an intention of doing business.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced that the maximum amount that a political party can receive from a source in cash is Rs 2,000, which is a sharp drop from the earlier limit of Rs 20,000.
Mawthoh also praised Jaitley for the bold step to limit political funding and termed it as a major electoral reform.
“It is a welcoming step on the part of the government to bring about the issue on political funding as the role of money has created havoc in the democratic process,” he said.
Congress legislator and IT Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh also appreciated the move to cap political funding.
NPP leader James Sangma asserted that it was a balanced budget and many issues have been addressed.