Political parties must make I-T returns public: CIC

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Keywords: Political Parties, I-T Returns

New Delhi: In an important order the Central Information Commission (CIC) has ruled that all political parties should make their Income Tax returns public.

From now on political parties across the political spectrum know that their IT returns will be in public domain.

The Income Tax Department will have to let the public know of what exactly is going on and whether the parties are filing their IT returns.

This decision was taken by the CIC after an application was filed before it by the Association for Democratic Reforms.

The order reads that:

• IT returns of political parties for the period between 2002 and 2007 be made public.
• This information is to be provided within a period of six weeks

It was clear from the very outset that the political parties were uncomfortable with the whole idea and even though notices were served to 20 main political parties, all of them objected claiming that the information sought was politically motivated and refused to divulge the required information

But with the CIC refusing to budge, the parties are now singing in a different tune.

"If a consensus is build up, I think people would like to see this happen," Ambika Soni, Congress leader, said.

"We welcome it," BJP's MA Naqvi said while Samajwadi Party MP Saleem Shervani said, "All the parties are welcoming it. So would we."

NCP's Priya Sule said, "It is a decision and we welcome it with open arms."

In the present political system where corruption has become endemic, what is wrong if political parties are asked to declare how they generate money for their own survival.

The kind of opposition that has been seen to the CIC's proposals before the final order is yet another reminder that there is much dirt that needs to be cleaned within the Indian political setup.