Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #ElectoralBonds
Most recents (24)
#ELECTORALBONDS
#SupremeCourtOfIndia to hear petitions challenging the Electoral Bond Scheme, 2018
The scheme was implemented in 2018 as a source of political funding where the credentials of donors were kept anonymous
#SupremeCourtOfIndia to hear petitions challenging the Electoral Bond Scheme, 2018
The scheme was implemented in 2018 as a source of political funding where the credentials of donors were kept anonymous
Sr Adv Dushyant Dave: this is a very very serious matter. Needs to be heard
Adv Prashant Bhushan: this has been pending for so long
Dave: as on 2017 the right to file counter was foreclosed
Centre seeks an adjournment: need time to file a composite reply
Adv Prashant Bhushan: this has been pending for so long
Dave: as on 2017 the right to file counter was foreclosed
Centre seeks an adjournment: need time to file a composite reply
Dave: are we going to wait for the Karnataka elections now so that another tranche of electoral bonds is given..
CJI: We are in middle of a constitution bench. We can hear in may, what is the time to be taken?
Dave: maximum 1.5 hours
CJI: Please have a discussion among… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
CJI: We are in middle of a constitution bench. We can hear in may, what is the time to be taken?
Dave: maximum 1.5 hours
CJI: Please have a discussion among… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
#SupremeCourt to hear electoral bonds case today.
A bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud will hear the matter.
#SupremeCourtOfIndia
A bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud will hear the matter.
#SupremeCourtOfIndia
Sr Adv Dushyant Dave: This needs to be heard. It's a very serious matter.
CJI DY Chandrachud: We'll keep it in May.
#SupremeCourt #ElectoralBond #SupremeCourtOfIndia
CJI DY Chandrachud: We'll keep it in May.
#SupremeCourt #ElectoralBond #SupremeCourtOfIndia
Dave: Should it be earlier? Because Karnataka elections will start and there will be another tranche...
CJI DY Chandrachud: We're in the midst of a CB.
#SupremeCourt #ElectoralBond #SupremeCourtOfIndia
CJI DY Chandrachud: We're in the midst of a CB.
#SupremeCourt #ElectoralBond #SupremeCourtOfIndia
Watching @RahulGandhi speaking in #Loksabha. It is telling - the reaction of the BJP Front bench to every minor point that Rahul makes linking Adani with ModiJi.
@RahulGandhi In July 2020 this happened.
@RahulGandhi In July 2021 this happened
Validity of electoral bonds scheme : Supreme Court hear the case on the question whether petitions challenging the electoral bonds scheme need to be referred to Constitution Bench
#SupremeCourt
#SupremeCourt
Sr Adv Dushyant Dave, Sr Adv Kapil Sibal appearing
Adv Shadab Farasat: one is about FCRA certification of political funding... one is electoral bonds
AG R Venkataramani: In some of the matters even notice has not been served.
Adv Shadab Farasat: one is about FCRA certification of political funding... one is electoral bonds
AG R Venkataramani: In some of the matters even notice has not been served.
Farasat: another case is bringing political parties under the RTI
Justice Narasimha: all these 3 issues are not overlapping at all
CJI DY Chandrachud: Yes all are different. Has response been filed to electoral bonds?
Justice Narasimha: all these 3 issues are not overlapping at all
CJI DY Chandrachud: Yes all are different. Has response been filed to electoral bonds?
Earlier in August my top tweet was this:
and the cartoonist Satish Acharya (@satishacharya) was my top follower.
and the cartoonist Satish Acharya (@satishacharya) was my top follower.
November 2022 saw the 6th anniversary of the Dreadful Distaster that was #DeMonetisation. I wrote this account of the evidence that it was a flawed move from the word go.
newslaundry.com/2022/11/08/dem…
newslaundry.com/2022/11/08/dem…
WHO'S finding that Gambia deaths were caused by contaminated cough medicines is NOT an attack on India, NOR an attack on India's pharma industry.
Making it a party political issue and NOT taking safety seriously is a betrayal of the reputation of India's pharma sector.
Making it a party political issue and NOT taking safety seriously is a betrayal of the reputation of India's pharma sector.
Why would a BJP spokesperson come so vociferously to the defence of a particular small pharma company whose product MAY have been contaminated and thus implicated in these deaths in Gambia and Uzbekistan?
One reason COULD be that the company paid for protection. #electoralbonds
One reason COULD be that the company paid for protection. #electoralbonds
Testing fresh samples of cough meds cud be an irrelevance. Just because the samples tested by WHO labs in Gambia showed DEG contamination is not suff reason to expect these latest samples also to test positive.
Conversely,
Conversely,
#SupremeCourt to hear plea challenging recent notification extending the period of sale of electoral bonds by 15 days during years when elections are scheduled to be held for State assemblies and Union Territories with legislature.
#ElectoralBonds #SupremeCourtOfIndia
#ElectoralBonds #SupremeCourtOfIndia
Advocate Prashant Bhushan: 3 sets of pleas. One is validity of scheme.
Justice Gavai: We heard from newspapers that Court 1 is hearing it. We do not want there to be a clash.
Bhushan: Lots of constitutional issues resolved. Lordships may decide if reference to a ...
Justice Gavai: We heard from newspapers that Court 1 is hearing it. We do not want there to be a clash.
Bhushan: Lots of constitutional issues resolved. Lordships may decide if reference to a ...
#LegalisedCorruption
Whether you like @ShekharGupta or not, listen to what he has to say on #ElectoralBonds
* Root of political corruption in India is Electoral Funding.
* This corruption was legalized on 1st April 2017.
HOW?
Whether you like @ShekharGupta or not, listen to what he has to say on #ElectoralBonds
* Root of political corruption in India is Electoral Funding.
* This corruption was legalized on 1st April 2017.
HOW?
* Through anonymous Electoral Bonds which also effectively amended Representation of People's Act, Foreign Contribution Regulation Act etc very quietly.
* The challenge to this is listed for hearing on 19th September I.e.TOMORROW.
* The challenge to this is listed for hearing on 19th September I.e.TOMORROW.
* In 2019, a 3 Judge Bench of the Supreme Court passed an Interim Order.3 1/2 years has passed since then.
* In the interests of 'transparency', paradoxically each party was to provide a list of donations received to the Election Commission of India..in a sealed envelope!
* In the interests of 'transparency', paradoxically each party was to provide a list of donations received to the Election Commission of India..in a sealed envelope!
Chief Justice N V Ramana retires on 26 Aug, delivering during his tenure 29 lectures on guarding/improving #India’s laws & #Constitution. Yet, as @OfficialSauravD’s analysis found, he did not walk his talk, providing no hearings for vital cases. 1/11
article-14.com/post/lots-of-s…
article-14.com/post/lots-of-s…
Instead of 5-6 days, it’s been 159 days since a special petition was filed against #Karnataka HC ruling upholding govt hijab ban in state educational institutions. “It just shows #SupremeCourt is reluctant to hear the matter:” Fauzia Shakil, case lawyer. 2/11
#ElectoralBonds the real story. A Measure of Corruption at the HIghest Levels of Political Power in India -
Headline figure: 8,000 Crore Rupees. = 80 Billion INR = 1.06 Billion US Dollars.
Where do these figures come from? The Horse's mouth.
How? A written reply in #LokSabha.
Headline figure: 8,000 Crore Rupees. = 80 Billion INR = 1.06 Billion US Dollars.
Where do these figures come from? The Horse's mouth.
How? A written reply in #LokSabha.
On 13 Dec 2021 Miinister of State (finance) Pankaj Chaudhuri answered Question No 2314. See the link here: http://164.100.24.220/loksabhaquestions/annex/177/AU2314.pdf
In the 18 rounds since they were launched in Dec 2018, the total sum of money that passed to Political parties from donors via #ElectoralBonds was:
INR 79,94, 97,75,000. i.e just shy of 8,000 Crores.
Conveniently, the reply stated: Party-wise data "is not collated centrally"
INR 79,94, 97,75,000. i.e just shy of 8,000 Crores.
Conveniently, the reply stated: Party-wise data "is not collated centrally"
VERDICT ALERT #ElectoralBonds
CJI SA Bobde led bench to deliver judgment on plea by @adrspeaks seeking interim direction to bar the sale of Electoral Bonds in view of the upcoming State Assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry #SupremeCourt
CJI SA Bobde led bench to deliver judgment on plea by @adrspeaks seeking interim direction to bar the sale of Electoral Bonds in view of the upcoming State Assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry #SupremeCourt
ADR raised serious apprehensions that any further sale of Electoral Bonds before the upcoming State Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam, "would further increase illegal and illicit funding of political parties through shell companies." @pbhushan1
CJI SA Bobde: therefore in the light of the scheme introduced in 2018 and they have been released in 2018 2019 2020 without impediment. We do not see any reason to stay the issuance at this stage. Dismissed
CJI SA Bobde led bench to shortly hear NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR's) application seeking an interim direction to bar the sale of Electoral Bonds.
#SupremeCourt
#ElectoralBonds
#SupremeCourt
#ElectoralBonds
@pbhushan1 had stated it was important that the application is heard in light of the upcoming Assembly Elections to West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry.
#WestBengalElections2021
#Assamelections
#KeralaAssemblyElections2021
#TamilNaduElections2021
#WestBengalElections2021
#Assamelections
#KeralaAssemblyElections2021
#TamilNaduElections2021
Plea states #ElecroralBonds led to annual contribution reports of political parties to be furnished to ECI which need not mention names and addresses of those contributing by way of electoral bonds, thereby killing transparency in political funding
Advocate Prashant Bhushan mentions the applications filed in the #ElectoralBonds case before a CJI SA Bobde led bench
@pbhushan1 : New set bonds to be issued from April 1 for coming elections.
@pbhushan1 : New set bonds to be issued from April 1 for coming elections.
Bhushan: We need our case to be heard urgently. @ECISVEEP has said these bonds allow illegal funds to be diverted to shell companies.
CJI: wasn't the stay request rejected
Bhushan: No per se. Election Commission says bonds are detrimental to our democracy
CJI: wasn't the stay request rejected
Bhushan: No per se. Election Commission says bonds are detrimental to our democracy
CJI: We will list this next Friday
Bhushan: bonds are slated to be released on April 1
CJI: It won't be April 1 by Friday. Mr Tushar Mehta we are going to grant circulation. He says you will delay by asking time to reply
SG Mehta: You can list on Wednesday. AG will appear.
Bhushan: bonds are slated to be released on April 1
CJI: It won't be April 1 by Friday. Mr Tushar Mehta we are going to grant circulation. He says you will delay by asking time to reply
SG Mehta: You can list on Wednesday. AG will appear.
#FarmBills2020 - Impulsive Take:
1. No. The stated objective of the Bills - creation of 'free market for agricultural goods' which will benefit the farmers - cannot be achieved with the legislations.
2. #DeMo , #GST , #ElectoralBonds , #20LacCrorePackage - none of it achieved.
1. No. The stated objective of the Bills - creation of 'free market for agricultural goods' which will benefit the farmers - cannot be achieved with the legislations.
2. #DeMo , #GST , #ElectoralBonds , #20LacCrorePackage - none of it achieved.
3. As it turned out, all were an exercise in irrational policy decisions at best & sinister legislations at worst.
4. No. APMCs are not the 'mafia-dens' as they are being branded. APMCs play a vital role in India's unique agricultural marketing system.
4. No. APMCs are not the 'mafia-dens' as they are being branded. APMCs play a vital role in India's unique agricultural marketing system.
5. There's NOT 1 farmer in India who's lost his money after selling his produce in APMCs.
6. The APMCs have powers to acquire & sell assets of Aratiyas, in case they fail to pay the farmers or fellow Aratiyas or traders.
6. The APMCs have powers to acquire & sell assets of Aratiyas, in case they fail to pay the farmers or fellow Aratiyas or traders.
What we know so far:
1.Modi made another grand appearance on TV at 8 PM y'day.
2. Made a grand & boistrous announcement of a package of Rs.20 Lacs Crores. W/o details.
3. FM @nsitharaman came at 4 PM today to provide the deatils.
4. 16 measures announced.
1.Modi made another grand appearance on TV at 8 PM y'day.
2. Made a grand & boistrous announcement of a package of Rs.20 Lacs Crores. W/o details.
3. FM @nsitharaman came at 4 PM today to provide the deatils.
4. 16 measures announced.
5. FM claimed that the total measures would involve Approx. Rs. 5.78 Lacs Crores.
6. Other than Rs. 2500 Crores (EPF contribution) - the government outgo is conspicuous by its' absence.
7. The credit guarantees are a thing of a very distant future.
6. Other than Rs. 2500 Crores (EPF contribution) - the government outgo is conspicuous by its' absence.
7. The credit guarantees are a thing of a very distant future.
8. The details for the MSME funding schemes, strangely, start only from October 2020. By that time, most MSMEs may as well be DEAD.
9. IT Refunds are being touted as 'relief package'. You have got to be extremely cruel to claim that.
9. IT Refunds are being touted as 'relief package'. You have got to be extremely cruel to claim that.
Interviewing people is fun!
@newslaundry (@AbhinandanSekhr specifically) has been pushing me to do interviews lately and I'm quite enjoying it.
So here's a #thread of all the interviews I have done till now! Do watch and enjoy.
👇
@newslaundry (@AbhinandanSekhr specifically) has been pushing me to do interviews lately and I'm quite enjoying it.
So here's a #thread of all the interviews I have done till now! Do watch and enjoy.
👇
#1
My Interview with @nit_set where we talk about #ElectoralBonds and why they're extremely harmful for our democracy.
newslaundry.com/2019/11/22/nl-…
My Interview with @nit_set where we talk about #ElectoralBonds and why they're extremely harmful for our democracy.
newslaundry.com/2019/11/22/nl-…
#2
A conversation with @rajeevgowda where he explains (in super n00b terms) what is going on with our economy. This is before the pandemic hit us.
Can't even imagine how much worse it has gotten now but Prof Gowda's arguments are still valid.
newslaundry.com/2020/01/02/nl-…
A conversation with @rajeevgowda where he explains (in super n00b terms) what is going on with our economy. This is before the pandemic hit us.
Can't even imagine how much worse it has gotten now but Prof Gowda's arguments are still valid.
newslaundry.com/2020/01/02/nl-…
Thread 👇. Please stay with me till the end.
1. We published the #ElectoralBonds Investigations as a multi-language collaborative journalism effort.
For some of us, the collaboration meant reviving the spirit and strength of journalism. Pooling the will and resources to do deep-dive journalism. Showing its possible.
For some of us, the collaboration meant reviving the spirit and strength of journalism. Pooling the will and resources to do deep-dive journalism. Showing its possible.
2. There were so many journalists across the country who helped stitch the collaboration. So many who reached out later to celebrate the collaboration across languages. Citizens and journalists alike.
.@shadabmoizee’s documentary on the kin of those who went missing during the Muzaffarnagar riots, won him and @TheQuint the award in the category of ‘Hindi Journalism’ at #RNGAwards.
You can watch @shadabmoizee's #RNGAwards winning report here:
@shadabmoizee .@poonamjourno wins #RNGAwards for her relentless 2+ years long coverage of the problems with the #ElectoralBonds scheme for @TheQuint.
#ElectoralBonds: Supreme Court grants 2 weeks time to Election Commission to file reply on plea by NGO Association for Democratic Reforms and CPI(M) seeking stay on the electoral bonds scheme 2018.
Initially, court was inclined to allow grant 4 weeks but after vehement plea by petitioner's counsel Prashant Bhushan that Delhi elections will be over by then, court reduced time given to ECI to two weeks.
#ElectoralBonds: Initially the scheme was meant only for Lok Sabha elections. But now, wvery time there is an election, they open it and ruling party gets 1000s of crores, Prashant Bhushan.
A tweet thread on #India's #Government #Finances
1. They are in a deep mess. The #Punjab #FinanceMinister came out of a #GSTCouncil meeting to suggest that the #UnionGovt may be close to a #SovereignDefault, because it is unable to p[ay out to the States's their share of GST.
1. They are in a deep mess. The #Punjab #FinanceMinister came out of a #GSTCouncil meeting to suggest that the #UnionGovt may be close to a #SovereignDefault, because it is unable to p[ay out to the States's their share of GST.
See this clip here:
That may be hyperbole. A sovereign default is when the Govt is so cash strapped that it is unable to service its debt. I'm not sure India is anywhere near that dire situation as yet.
But that does not mean that the Public finances are rosy. In fact they are dire in the extreme!
But that does not mean that the Public finances are rosy. In fact they are dire in the extreme!
(1/n) If you want to know all about the numbers behind #ElectoralBonds, here is a comprehensive data piece you cannot miss
factly.in/one-has-to-wai…
factly.in/one-has-to-wai…
(2/n)Since 01 March 2019, there were 12 windows open for the purchase of electoral bonds. The 9th phase and the 8th phase were during April’19 and March’19 and had the longest window period with 20 days and 15 days
(3/n)The highest value of electoral bonds sold was during 9th Phase i.e. 01st April – 20th April 2019 when a total of ₹ 2,256.4 crores were sold . The next highest was the earlier phase i.e. 8th phase between bonds worth ₹ 1365.7 crores were sold.
1. Electoral Bonds fail the basic test of transparency. 6000 crore given to political parties thru bonds, but Indian voters do not know source of funds. Info obtained under RTI Act shows BJP govt ignored objections against bonds. I share files in this thread- #ScrapElectoralBonds
2. Several laws were amended to allow Govt to bring Electoral Bonds. Changes were made to RBI Act, Representation of People Act, Companies Act & Income Tax Act. RBI had raised serious concerns about changes being made to the RBI Act in letter dated 30/1/2017 #ScrapElectoralBonds
3. Govt rejected objections of RBI on electoral bonds claiming, among other things, that these came late “at a time when Finance Bill is already printed” though RBI replied within 2 days! Noting signed by then FM. Why did govt seek comments if bill was final? #ScrapElectoralBonds
A Thread on #ElectoralBonds Investigations. Please stay with me.
There is something useful towards the end of this tweet-trail.
1. Happenings in Maharashtra show why #ElectoralBonds, a to flush secretly funnel unaccounted money into politics, is dangerous for our democracy.
There is something useful towards the end of this tweet-trail.
1. Happenings in Maharashtra show why #ElectoralBonds, a to flush secretly funnel unaccounted money into politics, is dangerous for our democracy.
2. The #Electoral Bond Investigation series, hosted by @HuffPostIndia, was based on #CommodorePapers. Transparency activist, Commodore Lokesh Batra (retd) retrieved the docs under the RTI Act.
3. Commodore Batra required nearly 2 years to pull the files out with repeated RTIs and a lot of effort.
Every one of us who values these revelations on the scandalous #ElectoralBonds must thank him.
Modi govt has now diluted the RTI law.
Every one of us who values these revelations on the scandalous #ElectoralBonds must thank him.
Modi govt has now diluted the RTI law.
By now, everyone knows that even if BJP gets 0 seats in state elections, they'll still form a government.
Shah saar will just buy an entire regional party with their regional leaders and the governor of the state will be like, "Kewl. Ye lo Gormint."
Thanks #ElectoralBonds!
Shah saar will just buy an entire regional party with their regional leaders and the governor of the state will be like, "Kewl. Ye lo Gormint."
Thanks #ElectoralBonds!
Matlab I don't understand why BJP even bothers spending money on campaigning anymore. Let others spend money on that.
Smart thing is to spend money buying and selling people after results come. Cheaper and more effective, eh?
Add some CBI-ED raids for extra convincing powers.
Smart thing is to spend money buying and selling people after results come. Cheaper and more effective, eh?
Add some CBI-ED raids for extra convincing powers.
Saying a few things in anticipation of Bhakts:
- Yes yes they got 100+ seats.
- Yes yes BJP is awesome.
- Yes yes Chanakyaniti and everything. - Congrats.
- Yes yes Congress has done it too.
- Yes yes Nehru sucks.
<Insert 'Jali na Teri meme'>
- Yes yes they got 100+ seats.
- Yes yes BJP is awesome.
- Yes yes Chanakyaniti and everything. - Congrats.
- Yes yes Congress has done it too.
- Yes yes Nehru sucks.
<Insert 'Jali na Teri meme'>
