Press Release: 4 National parties namely BJP, AITC, INC and NCP collected 55.09% (Rs 1811.9425 cr) of their total income from donations through Electoral Bonds for FY 2021-22

1 view

Skip to first unread message

ADR India

unread,

Mar 1, 2023, 1:37:23 AM3/1/23

to national-el...@googlegroups.com, national...@googlegroups.com

Press Release

Date: 1st March, 2023

Analysis of Income & Expenditure of National Political Parties for FY 2021-22

For detailed reports in English and in Hindi, please go to: https://adrindia.org/content/analysis-income-expenditure-national-political-parties-fy-2021-22

Executive Summary

Political parties have multiple sources of funding and thus accountability and transparency should be an important aspect of their functioning. It is essential to have comprehensive and transparent accounting methods and systems which should reveal the true financial position of the parties.

The Election Commission of India (ECI), in its letter dated 19th November,’14 addressed to the Presidents/General Secretaries of all political parties, stated that it was mandatory for the parties to submit details of their audited reports to the Commission. This report analyses the total income and expenditure incurred, all over India, by the all-National Parties during FY 2021-22, as declared by the parties in their IT Returns submitted to the ECI.

The National Parties include Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Indian National Congress (INC), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI(M), All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and National People’s Party (NPEP).

Status of submission of audited reports by the National Parties, FY 2021-22

The due date for submission of annual audited accounts for the parties was 31st October,’22.
Only BSP and NPEP submitted their audit reports on time while NCP, AITC, CPI(M), CPI, BJP, INC and submitted after a delay of 2 days, 2 days, 3 days, 21 days, 53 days and 55 days respectively.

Total Income and Expenditure of National Political Parties for FY 2021-22

BJP declared a total income of Rs 1917.12 cr during FY 2021-22, but spent only 44.57% (Rs 854.467 cr) of the total income. AITC’s total income was Rs 545.745 cr while the party spent Rs 268.337 cr, thus, the party's expenditure for that year is 49.17% of its total income.
INC’s total income was Rs 541.275 cr while the party spent Rs 400.414 cr, 73.98%. of its income.

Total Income of National Parties for FY 2021-22

8 National Parties (BJP, INC, CPI(M), NCP, BSP, AITC, CPI and NPEP) have declared a total income of Rs 3289.34 cr, collected from all over India.
BJP has shown the highest income amongst the National Parties, an income of Rs 1917.12 cr during FY 2021-22. This forms 58.28% of the total income of 8 National Parties during FY 2021-22.
AITC declared the second highest income of Rs 545.745 cr which forms 16.59% of the total income of the 8 National Parties.

Comparison of total income of National Political Parties between FY 2020-21 & FY 2021-22

Between FY 2020-21 and 2021-22, the income of BJP increased by 154.82% (Rs 1164.783 cr) from Rs 752.337 cr during FY 2020-21 to Rs 1917.12 cr during FY 2021-22.
Income of AITC increased by 633.36% (Rs 471.328 cr) from Rs 74.417 cr during FY 2020-21 to Rs 545.745 cr during FY 2021-22 and Income of INC increased by 89.41% (Rs 255.51 cr) from Rs 285.765 cr during FY 2020-21 to Rs 541.275 cr during FY 2021-22.

Top 3 sources of income of National Parties for FY 2021-22

National Parties that received highest income from donations/contributions include BJP – Rs 1775.43 cr, AITC – Rs 582.523 cr, INC – Rs 347.996 cr, NCP – Rs 71.956 cr, CPI(M) – Rs 65.878 cr, and NPEP – Rs 43.00 lakhs.
Collection by Issuing Coupons of Rs 135.30 cr declared by INC form 25.00% of its total income during FY 2021-22.

Top 3 items of expenditure of National Parties for FY 2021-22

The maximum expenditure for BJP has been towards Election/General Propaganda which amounted to Rs 645.853 cr followed by expenses towards Administrative Costs, Rs 133.316 cr.
The maximum expenditure for AITC has been towards Election Expenditure which amounted to Rs 135.128 cr followed by expenses towards Administration and General Expenses, Rs 25.819 cr.
INC spent the maximum of Rs 279.737 cr on Election Expenditure followed by expenditure of Rs 90.125 cr on Administrative and General Expenses.

All sources of income declared by National Parties, FY 2021-22

4 National parties namely BJP, AITC, INC and NCP collected 55.09% (Rs 1811.9425 cr) of their total income from donations through Electoral Bonds for FY 2021-22. BJP received donations through Electoral Bonds worth Rs 1033.70 cr, AITC received Rs 528.143 cr, INC received Rs 236.0995 cr and NCP received Rs 14.00 cr.
During FY 2021-22, 8 National Parties declared receiving an income from Donations/Contributions, a total of Rs 980.2691 cr.

Observations of ADR

NCP, AITC, CPI(M), CPI, BJP and INC parties submitted their audit reports after a delay of 2 days to 55 days.
The most common and popular items of expenditure for National parties for FY 2020-21 are election expenses and administrative/general expenses.
As per the data shared by SBI in response to ADR’s RTI application, Electoral Bonds worth Rs 2673.0525 cr were redeemed by parties in FY 2021-22. 67.79% of this has been redeemed by National Parties.
4 National parties namely BJP, AITC, INC and NCP collected 55.09% (Rs 1811.9425 cr) of their total income from donations through Electoral Bonds for FY 2021-22. BJP received donations through Electoral Bonds worth Rs 1033.70 cr, AITC received Rs 528.143 cr, INC received Rs 236.0995 cr and NCP received Rs 14.00 cr.
Given the anonymity provided to donors by the scheme, it is seen that Electoral Bonds emerged as the most popular mode of donations to National Political parties for FY 2020-21 as well. Only 3 National Parties (BJP, INC and AITC) received from Donations through Electoral Bonds (Rs 74.46 cr), wherein identity of the donor is not disclosed to the public. Of the Regional parties that have submitted their audit reports, 5 Regional Parties (YSR-C, DMK, BJD, AAP and JDU) have declared receiving donations through Electoral Bonds worth Rs 250.60 cr.
During FY 2021-22, out of the 8 National parties, only 3 Parties (INC - Rs 135.30 cr, CPI(M) - Rs 10.7086 cr and NCP - Rs 1.38 cr) declared receiving a total income of Rs 147.389 cr from Sale of Coupons.