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
4. Election Commission objected to amendments. Termed anonymous funding via Electoral Bonds "a retrograde step" for transparency. Important to note that changes were brought as money bill through Finance Act, 2017 bypassing scrutiny by Rajya Sabha #ScrapElectoralBonds
5. Govt sought views of political parties WITHOUT sharing any draft of the Electoral Bonds Scheme. INC, CPI & BSP objected & sought a copy of the scheme. SAD suggested that only profit making companies should be allowed to donate a %age of their profits #ScrapElectoralBonds
6. Without the RTI Act these documents would have remained buried in government files. Will continue this thread on the Electoral Bonds Scheme tomorrow. #ScrapElectoralBonds
#SaveRTI
#SaveRTI
7. How will *anonymous* electoral bonds lead to greater transparency, Pradhan Mantri ji? Info accessed under the RTI Act shows how Electoral Bonds Scheme was introduced surreptitiously, without any public consultation. Follow thread. #ScrapElectoralBonds
8. In violation of legal requirement, government did not make draft of Electoral Bond Scheme public before notifying it. Info obtained under RTI suggests proposal to hold consultations with people & political parties was scrapped after a meeting with the PM. #ScrapElectoralBonds
9. Election Commission raised major concerns on Electoral Bond Scheme:
-Said criteria of parties needing 1% of votes polled as condition for accepting EBs was discriminatory
-Wanted ECI to get better reporting from political parties on funds received thru EBs #ScrapElectoralBonds
-Said criteria of parties needing 1% of votes polled as condition for accepting EBs was discriminatory
-Wanted ECI to get better reporting from political parties on funds received thru EBs #ScrapElectoralBonds
10. Even Law Ministry objected to provisions in Electoral Bond Scheme. Said criteria of parties needing 1% of votes polled as condition for accepting EBs was violation of Representation of Peoples Act. Objections were overruled with nod of Finance Minister. #ScrapElectoralBonds
The @BJP4India govt had claimed that they introduced #ElectoralBonds as donors wanted anonymity. Till date they've been unable to show any proof of this justification. CIC has directed govt to reveal names of those who sought anonymity.
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So another election funded thu electoral bonds without SC deciding matter? In 2019 SC said issue has tremendous bearing on sanctity of electoral process but did not stay scheme! Crores given- mainly to BJP- in complete secrecy. Democracy dies in darkness
