homeindia NewsI T raids in Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana over donations to political parties
I-T raids in Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana over donations to political parties
These political parties were involved in serious financial impropriety by receiving donations without due statutory compliances. The EC in May took action against such political parties who had claimed I-T exemption without complying with statutory requirements and deleted 87 political parties from its list for bogus donation and tax fraud, violating norms, the report said.
The Income Tax department on Wednesday conducted raids across multiple states as part of a tax evasion probe against registered unrecognised political parties (RUPP) and their alleged dubious funding, official sources said. Raids are being conducted in Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and a few other states.
Election Commission of India in May took action against such political parties who had claimed I-T exemption without complying with statutory requirements and deleted 87 entities from its list of RUPP after they were found non-existent during physical verification.
The poll panel had announced that it was taking action against more than 2,100 registered unrecognised political parties for flouting rules and election laws, including those related to filing of monetary contributions, failing to update their address and names of office bearers. It had said some of these parties were indulging in serious financial impropriety.
In 2018, the I-T department cautioned people against indulging in illegal cash transactions including donating more than Rs 2000 to political parties. The government had in early 2018 notified 'electoral bonds' that can be bought from specified branches of the State Bank of India (SBI) and used to donate money to political parties.
I-T raids Rajasthan Home Minister's premises
The I-T department conducted search operations at Rajasthan's Home Minister Rajendra Yadav's premises. The raids are being conducted at multiple locations including his assembly constituency Kotputli and business premises in Uttarakhand.
"I-T department officials came to my premises at 8 am today. They also raided my locations in Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Gurugram, where my children and family do business. Search operation is underway, everything will be clear soon," said Yadav.
I-T raids at think tank, NGO, and trust funding media outlets
The tax department is conducting survey action at the offices of the leading think tank Centre for Policy Research (CPR), the Independent and Public-Spirited Media Foundation (IPSMF), and Oxfam India.
The surveys are in connection to the simultaneous action being taken in Haryana, Maharashtra and Gujarat, among other places, "over funding of more than 20 registered but non-recognised political parties", NDTV reported, quoting sources. News agency PTI said, citing sources, that it's part of a probe over irregularities in receiving foreign contributions.
CPR is a public policy think tank chaired by Meenakshi Gopinath and Yamini Aiyar is its president and chief executive. Members of the board include former foreign secretary Shyam Saran and IIM professor Rama Bijapurkar.
A team of more than 10 officers is inside the CPR office at Chanakyapuri since noon and the surveys are likely to go on through the night at Oxfam's Okhla office too, NDTV stated quoting sources. Staff have not been allowed to leave.
IPSMF provides financial support and mentors digital media entities in creating and disseminating public interest information. The trust has funded digital media outlets such as The Caravan, The Print and Swarajya.
The team at the NGO Oxfam India includes Amitabh Behar (Chief Executive Officer), Pankaj Anand Director-Programme and Advocacy, Satya Prakash Director Operations and others.
First Published: Sept 7, 2022 9:51 AM IST
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