GMR group, Ultratech and Bharti highest donors to Electoral Trusts

Hyderabad: GMR group, one of the major players in the infrastructure and transportation sector, has emerged as a top donor to the Electoral Trusts for 2018-19.

The Group which has built International Airports across the country including one in Hyderabad has donated Rs 59 crore, which is the highest.

It is followed by Airtel and Infratel limited. Both under the Bharati group have contributed Rs 34.174 crore. Ultra tech cements limited ranks third with Rs 23 crore donations.

An Electoral Trust is a scheme created to channel funding to a political party. Trust can receive money from corporates, individuals, and others. Of which they disburse 95 percent of funds to the parties.

According to the Central Board of Direct Taxes, since the inception of the scheme, there are 21 Electoral Trusts in India. Of which only 15 have submitted their contributions reports to the Election Commission of India.

Of these, only five Trusts declared receiving contributions from various corporate houses and individuals. They include Prudent Electoral trust (Rs 182.33 Cr received), AB General (Rs 57.75 Cr), New Rs 6.42 Cr), Samaj (Rs 3 Cr), and Janhit (2.5 Cr).

Association for Democratic reforms, an election watch body analyzed the funds received by Electoral Trusts based on their contribution reports submitted to the ECI for the FY 2018-19. The report concluded that the top 10 donors have contributed Rs 161.42 cr to Electoral Trusts, which forms 64% of the total donations received by the Trusts.

How much funds were disbursed to the political parties?

The 5 Electoral Trusts received a total of Rs 252.0065 cr from corporates and individuals and distributed Rs 251.554 cr (99.82%) to various political parties. The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) received a large share of the funds (Rs 100 crore) followed by the Indian National Congress (INC) Rs 43 crore.

Among the state-recognized parties the YSR Congress in power in Andhra Pradesh received Rs 27 crore, whilst TDP Rs 25 crore and TRS Rs 16.5 crore from Prudent Electroal trust.

Located at Bahadurshah Zafar Marg in New Delhi, Prudent was earlier known as Satya Electoral Trust. Incorporated a year before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, it is labeled as one of the richest among 22 electoral trusts registered in India.

Table: Top 10 donors to electoral trusts : FY 2018-19

1.GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited: Rs 25 Crore

2.Ultratech Cement Limited: Rs 23 Crore

3.Bharati Airtel Limited: Rs 21. 174 Crore

4.GMR Airport Developers Ltd: Rs 19 Crore

5.GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo and logistics private limited: Rs 15 Crore

6.Hindalco Industries limited: Rs 13. 25 Crore

7.Bharati Infratel limited: Rs 13 Crore

8.Essel Mining Industries Limited: Rs 12 Crore

9.DLF Limited: Rs 10 Crore

10.Delhi airport parking services pvt limited: Rs 10 crore