BJP received Rs 276.45 crore from electoral trusts in 2019-20, Congress Rs 58 crore: ADR
New Delhi: The BJP received Rs 276.45 crore or 76.17 per cent of total donations given to all political parties from electoral trusts in 2019-20, according to a report by poll rights group ADR (Association for Democratic Reforms).
The BJP was followed by the Congress which received Rs 58 crore or 15.98 per cent of total donations received by all parties from all seven electoral trusts, it said.
The report that analysed contribution reports of electoral trusts for financial year 2019-20 said top donors to the electoral trusts included JSW, Apollo Tyres, Indiabulls, Delhi International Airport and DLF groups.
JSW Steel Ltd. contributed the highest amount worth Rs 39.10 crore among all donors of electoral trusts, followed by Apollo Tyres Ltd. with Rs 30 crore and Indiabulls Infraestate Ltd which contributed Rs 25 crore to various trusts.
Eighteen individuals contributed to electoral trusts in 2019-20. Ten individuals contributed Rs 2.87 crore to Prudent Electoral Trust, four individuals contributed Rs 5.50 lakhs to Small Donations Electoral Trust and four individuals gave a total of Rs 1 lakh to Swadeshi Electoral Trust, the report said.
"BJP received Rs 276.45 crore or 76.17 per cent of the total donations received by all political parties from electoral trusts followed by Congress which received Rs 58 crore or 15.98 per cent of the total donations received by all parties from all seven electoral Trusts. Other 12 political parties including AAP, SHS, SP, Yuva Jan Jagriti Party, Jannayak Party, JDU, JMM, LJP, SAD, INLD, JKNC and RLD received a total of Rs 25.4652 crore collectively," the report said.
The Election Commission had circulated guidelines for submission of contribution reports of electoral trusts to submit an annual report containing details of contributions received by the electoral trusts and disbursed by them to political parties in the interest of transparency.
These guidelines were issued to seven electoral trusts formed after January 2013 -- Satya Electoral Trust, Pratinidhi Electoral Trust, People's Electoral Trust, Progressive Electoral Trust, Janhit Electoral Trust, Bajaj Electoral Trust and Janpragati Electoral Trust.
Fourteen out of the 21 electoral trusts, registered with the Central Board of Direct Taxes, submitted their contribution details in 2019-20 to the EC of which only seven declared to have received any donations during that year.
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More than 1,200 booked for drunk driving during Holi celebrations in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Traffic Police booked more than 1,200 motorists for drunk driving during a special enforcement drive carried out across the city on Holi, with the highest number of such violations reported from the western range, an official said on Thursday.
According to data released by the traffic police, a total of 3,725 were penalised for other traffic violations, besides the 1,204 challans issued to motorists for drunken driving during Holi celebrations on Wednesday.
The western range that covers Dwarka, Outer and West districts saw intensive enforcement and recorded the highest number of drunken driving cases at 297.
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The central range reported 257 cases of drunken driving, closely followed by the northern range with 256 violations. The eastern range recorded 208 cases, while the southern range reported 117 drunken driving challans. The New Delhi range registered the lowest number with 69 cases, the data showed.
Police said multiple checkpoints were set up across key roads and intersections where drivers were subjected to breath analyser tests to ensure road safety during the festival.
Apart from drunken driving, traffic police also booked a large number of motorists for other violations during the special Holi enforcement drive.
According to traffic data, 3,725 challans were issued for offences such as driving without seat belts, triple riding, riding without helmets, dangerous driving and other traffic rule violations across the city.
The eastern range recorded the highest number of such violations at 740, followed by the western range with 672 cases and the southern range with 646 cases. The central range reported 627 violations, while the northern range recorded 504 cases.
The New Delhi range registered 536 violations, the data showed, indicating widespread enforcement action across multiple districts during the festive checks.
Officials said the drive was conducted on March 4 as part of a citywide special campaign to check drunken driving, overspeeding and other traffic violations on Holi celebrations.
Traffic police teams were deployed at several strategic points, including arterial roads and areas known for heavy festive gatherings, to monitor motorists and prevent accidents.
"Strict action was taken against motorists found driving under the influence of alcohol. The aim of the special drive was to deter violations and ensure the safety of road users during the festive period," a traffic police official said.
Police said drunken driving significantly increases the risk of accidents and urged motorists to avoid driving after consuming alcohol.
The traffic police also appealed to citizens to celebrate Holi responsibly and follow traffic rules to prevent mishaps on the roads.
