Ban on firms’ funds for parties: Govt. decision

The Government of India has decided at the highest level to impose a ban on contributions by companies to political parties. This decision has been taken independently of the Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha by Mr. Madhu Limaye (S.S.P.) demanding a curb on such donations. It is reliably learnt that quite sometime ago the Union Minister for Industrial Development and Company Affairs was asked to go into the entire question and based on his recommendation the Union Cabinet proposed that there should be a total ban on such contributions. This matter was first highlighted when the Cement Allocation and Co-ordination Organisation was known to have distributed nearly Rs. 40 lakhs as donations for various political parties and individuals for election purposes. Contribution to the Congress party by companies during the accounting periods ending on December 31, 1966 and March 31, 1967 amounted to over Rs. 15.5 lakhs. A decision on the subject by the Union Cabinet had to be postponed due to the absence of the Prime Minister abroad on important engagements. A formal detailed announcement is expected to be made when the Minister intervenes during the resumed discussion of Mr. Limaye’s Bill.