Page 14 - Latest Updates on Electoral Bond
Electoral Bonds will curb or lead to more black money? The story so far
The Supreme Court has directed all political parties to furnish receipts of electoral bonds and details of identity of donors in a sealer cover to the Election Commission
 "Electoral Bonds will curb or lead to more black money? The story so far")
Disclose details of electoral bonds before May 30: SC to political parties
The Supreme Court said that the issue of electoral bonds requires detailed hearing and so it will announce the date for final hearing later
 "Disclose details of electoral bonds before May 30: SC to political parties")
Voters needn't know political funding source: Govt defends electoral bonds
AG's comments came during the hearing on pleas challenging the validity of electoral bonds and their usage for political funding
 "Voters needn't know political funding source: Govt defends electoral bonds")
Arun Jaitley defends electoral bonds, ask opponents to suggest alternatives
The govt had in 2018 brought in the electoral bond scheme as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties as part of its efforts to bring transparency in political funding
 "Arun Jaitley defends electoral bonds, ask opponents to suggest alternatives")
Centre opposes EC's stand in SC on electoral bonds; justifies issuing them
Govt in its fresh affidavit said that the massive amount of political donations were earlier made in cash by individuals or corporates using "illicit means of funding" under the old system
 "Centre opposes EC's stand in SC on electoral bonds; justifies issuing them")
Electoral bonds for political donations likely to fail the tax test
Tax experts point out that the I-T Act needs to be amended to give electoral bonds tax-exemption status
 "Electoral bonds for political donations likely to fail the tax test")
Individuals, NGOs can buy electoral bonds without public disclosure
The scheme could help entities route black money to political parties through shell companies, experts fear
 "Individuals, NGOs can buy electoral bonds without public disclosure")
Electoral bonds can be purchased from 53 SBI branches
Donation not enchased by political parties within 15 days will go towards Prime Minister's Relief Fund
 "Electoral bonds can be purchased from 53 SBI branches")
Printing of electoral bonds to be top-secret affair
The electoral bonds is an alternative to cash donations made to political parties
Electoral bonds: Withholding donors' names a regressive step, says Congress
The electoral bonds is an alternative to cash donations made to political parties
 "Electoral bonds: Withholding donors' names a regressive step, says Congress")
Govt notifies terms of electoral bonds to ensure clean political funding
Interest-free bonds for political funding, with 15-day validity, will be available at select SBI branches
 "Govt notifies terms of electoral bonds to ensure clean political funding")
Electoral bonds of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 1 cr dominate donations: RTI application
99 per cent of donations received by political parties between March 2018 and January 24, 2019 were as electoral bonds of Rs 10 lakh and Rs one crore.
 "Electoral bonds of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 1 cr dominate donations: RTI application")
Explained: What are electoral bonds and why is there a controversy?
Electoral bond is like a promissory note that can be bought by any Indian citizen or company incorporated in India from select branches of State Bank of India
 "Explained: What are electoral bonds and why is there a controversy?")
Govt curtails sale period of electoral bonds from 10 days to 5 in May
The government, however, did not give any reason for reducing the time period for sale of electoral bonds
BJP, Congress among parties yet to submit electoral bond details to EC
Last month, the Election Commission had written to all recognised political parties to comply with the Supreme Court directives
 "BJP, Congress among parties yet to submit electoral bond details to EC")
Electoral bonds govt's instruments of 'opaque money laundering': Congress
"RTI reveals how 'electoral bonds' became instruments of anonymous donations bordering on opaque 'money laundering'," Surjewala said in a tweet.
 "Electoral bonds govt's instruments of 'opaque money laundering': Congress")
Jaitley outlines contours of electoral bonds for political parties' funding
Interest-free bonds can be purchased from SBI for 10 days in the months of Jan, April, July & Oct; bonds not to carry name of payee
 "Jaitley outlines contours of electoral bonds for political parties' funding")
Govt to introduce electoral bonds soon, validity to be capped at 15 days
The guidelines for electoral bonds are almost ready and some fine-tuning is being done by the finance ministry
 "Govt to introduce electoral bonds soon, validity to be capped at 15 days")
RBI, EC have no info on electoral bonds: RTI reply
The RBI was asked details of the draft electoral bond scheme
 "RBI, EC have no info on electoral bonds: RTI reply")
Govt to go ahead with electoral bonds even if consensus eludes
Jaitley had also announced capping of anonymous cash donations to political parties at Rs 2,000
 "Govt to go ahead with electoral bonds even if consensus eludes")
