New Delhi, Dec 18: Asking the government to bring forth a comprehensive bill on electoral reforms, a parliamentary committee today rejected a legislative proposal that audit on accounts of donations taken by political parties be carried out by CAG-approved auditors and submitted to the Centre. Giving its recommendations on the election and other related laws (amendment) bill, the standing committee on home affairs held that such audits be done through chartered accountants appointed by political parties as at present under provisions of Income Tax Act.
In its 97th report tabled in Parliament, the 35-member committee headed by Pranab Mukherjee said members were of view that since the money was not given from the public exchequer, submission of accounts of donations to the central government would erode the autonomy of political parties.
"Further the auditors would have the right to inspect any document or premises of the political parties at any point of time which was objected to on the ground that it would tantamount to intrusion into the internal affairs of the party," it said, adding that accounting by CAG-approved auditors would be discriminatory in the name of transparency.
The committee recommended deletion of the provision under the proposed bill which was referred to it for examination in May this year.
The committee also suggested that the government should bring forward a comprehensive Electoral Reforms Bill rather than coming up with piecemeal legislation. Bureau Report