SBI refuses to disclose legal fees paid to Harish Salve in electoral bonds case
New Delhi: The State Bank of India (SBI) has declined to reveal the legal fees paid to advocate Harish Salve for representing the bank in the electoral bonds case. In response to an RTI query by activist Ajay Bose, SBI cited exemptions under the RTI Act, sparking questions about transparency and accountability.
According to SBI, the information requested by Bose is considered third-party personal information held in a fiduciary capacity and is commercially confidential. Therefore, it falls under exemptions outlined in sections 8(1)(e) & (j) of the RTI Act.
These sections allow for disclosure if it's determined that larger public interest warrants it. However, the Supreme Court had criticized SBI's stance on disclosing information related to electoral bonds, emphasizing the importance of transparency.
ALSO READ: SBI refuses to disclose electoral bonds' details under RTI Act
The court's remarks came after it declared electoral bonds unconstitutional and arbitrary. SBI's reluctance to disclose details without court orders drew criticism, with the court observing that the bank's approach seemed selective and unfair.
Electoral bonds, a now-defunct scheme, allowed individuals to purchase paper instruments from SBI and donate them to political parties. The lack of transparency in the scheme raised concerns about political funding and accountability to the Election Commission.
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Opposition will question govt at all-party meet about Trump's claims on brokering ceasefire: Kharge
Kalaburagi (PTI): Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said that the opposition will question the government at the all-party meeting, regarding US President Donald Trump's claims that his administration helped broker a "ceasefire" between India and Pakistan.
The Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said he will urge the government to call an all-party meeting soon, to discuss the latest developments in border tension between India and Pakistan, including "ceasefire".
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "Trump is saying things to claim credit. These people (PM and central government) are saying no. It is a sensitive matter. When an all-party meeting is called, we will discuss — what’s the matter, what happened and what were the telephone talks— and ask all these things”.
In response to a question whether PM Modi gave in to Trump's mediation, he said "It won’t be right for me to speak about it now. We have our party meeting today. I’m going for that. I will ask (centre) to call an all-party meeting, let’s see what they will do."
India and Pakistan reached an understanding on Saturday to end the military conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
Indian government sources have been maintaining that the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions, and no third party was involved.
There was no reference to trade in talks between top leaders of India and the US during the India-Pakistan military conflict, government sources said on Monday after American President Donald Trump claimed that he pressured New Delhi and Islamabad to stop hostilities by threatening to cut trade with both countries.
The source-based clarification came after Trump on Monday said he forced the two countries to stop the hostilities by using the trade card.
Kharge and his party have already demanded that the central government convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and the latest developments in cross-border firing, including the recently announced "ceasefire".
