SC notice to Centre on legalising foreign funding to political parties
New Delhi, July 2: The Supreme Court on Monday sought the Central government's response on a plea challenging the amendments to Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act which it said were introduced to bail out the BJP and Congress after a high court held them guilty of taking foreign funding.
A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud issued notice to the government on the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) plea seeking declaration that the amendments in FCRA 2010 by Section 236 of Finance Act, 2016 and by Section 217 of the Finance Act, 2018 are "void, illegal and unconstitutional".
The amendments to the FCRA, the petitioner contended, were introduced with retrospective effect to overturn a Delhi High Court order holding the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress guilty of accepting donations from overseas companies.
The plea against the Delhi High Court judgment was rejected by the top court, said the plea.
The amendments to the FCRA 1976, the PIL said, have "opened doors to unlimited political donations from foreign companies, thereby legitimizing financial contributions received from foreign sources".
Contending that the amendments were contrary to the principles of the separation of powers, it said that the amendment made in FCRA 2010 "vide the Finance Act 2016" was already under challenge before the top court and when matter is sub-judice, the Parliament by the Finance Act, 2018 has now made amendments with retrospective effect from 1976.
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Uday Bhanu Chib appointed as new president of Indian Youth Congress
New Delhi: Uday Bhanu Chib has been appointed as the new President of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), succeeding Srinivas BV. The appointment was made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, days after a meeting between Chib and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Chib, who previously served as the General Secretary of the IYC and President of the Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress, will now lead the youth wing of the Congress Party.
His appointment comes amidst the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, where Chib has been actively involved. He also contributed to the party’s manifesto committee for these elections.
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal issued a statement acknowledging the contributions of Srinivas BV and welcoming Chib to his new role.
Earlier this month, Chib participated in a roadshow alongside National Congress candidate Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, who is contesting from the Jammu North Assembly seat.
