First RTI application filed to a political party seeking information about funding
7 Jun, 2013A former government employee, Kashinath Shetye, has filed an application under the RTI Act with the many political parties seeking information about the funding. The applicant has initially filed RTI application with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He intends to file similar applications to the NCP (Nationalist Congress Party), and also with the regional parties like the Maharshtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Goa Vikas Party (GVP).
He has asked the BJP to provide information on the party's cash and donation receipts from mining companies. He has specifically sought information about the total donations received by the BJP from Vedanta/ Sesa Goa and other mining companies. He has also sought information about the contributions made by its legislators and office bearers and whether it is compulsory for every BJP legislator to contribute towards party fund.
As per records, the Sesa Goa Pvt. Ltd., donated Rs. 85 lakh to the BJP and Rs. 30 lakh to the Congress party in 2009-10. The MGP received a donation of Rs. 2 lakh, while Shiv Sena got Rs. 1 lakh during the same year. The Sesa Goa Pvt. Ltd. is the state's biggest ore producer and exporter of ores. Most political parties seem to be opposed to the CIC order and are yet to take a stand on disclosure.