Congress to implement Manmohan panel proposals

By Javed M. Ansari

NEW DELHI, JULY 18. Exercising the executive privilege accorded to her by the party's constitution, the Congress president, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, has decided to implement immediately the recommendations of the Dr. Manmohan Singh Committee on party finances. The Party had earlier toyed with the idea of summoning a one-day AICC session to facilitate an amendment to its constitution to incorporate the recommendations. Such a session may be called later to ratify the decision.

Ms. Sonia Gandhi first spoke about the need for more transparency in financing political parties, in her speech at the party's plenary session in Bangalore. This came soon after the Tehelka expose. A seven-member committee headed by Dr. Manmohan Singh was entrusted with the task of recommending measures to help establish a transparent and effective system of financing the party at all levels. The other members were Mr. Ram Niwas Mirdha, Mr. Motilal Vohra, Ms. Margaret Alva, Mr. K.M. Khan, Mr. Pawan Bansal and Mr. Jairam Ramesh.

The committee has recommended increased contributions from AICC and PCC members, party MPs and MLAs, zilla parishad and municipal corporation members and all party office-bearers. Every active member should contribute Rs. 100 directly to the PCC every year. For the AICC members, an annual contribution of Rs. 600 which would be collected and retained by the AICC, was recommended. The PCC delegates would have to pay an annual sum of Rs. 300 which would be retained by the PCCs.

Members of the municipal corporations, municipal committees and zilla parishads, would be required to pay Rs. 200 a year.

Another significant recommendation is for the establishment of a separate party management fund. This would be set up with contributions by cheque from companies, well-wishers, sympathisers and from the public. Dr. Singh has been authorised to write to the Finance Minister demanding that all contributions made by cheque be made tax-deductible.

The committee recommended a special fund collection drive during a designated period as done by the party in Kerala. It also recommended that the Congress take the lead in asking for State funding of political parties.

Besides being a personal initiative of the Congress president, it also marks a dramatic shift in the party's approach to the system of political financing.

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Section  : National
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