EC Bond Data ; A game of Hide & Seek ?

 

 

Last evening , Election Commission  (https://www.eci.gov.in/disclosure-of-electoral-bonds ) uploaded on its website Electoral Bond data as follows :

 

( A )  Details of Electoral Bonds submitted by SBI Part- I

 

This is a simple tabulation having following columns :

Date of Purchase  /  Purchaser Name  /  Denomination

 

( B )  Details of Electoral Bonds submitted by SBI Part- II

 

This tabulation has following columns :

Date of Encashment / Name of the Political Party /  Denomination

But this data does not tell us > WHO gave , HOW MUCH , to WHOM

No doubt ( as expected ) , this morning’s news papers are full of some straightforward analysis

But for you understand what this analysis HIDES , I have prepared following tabulation :

I urge SBI / EC , to fill in the data missing in the cells and then publish this tabulation on their websites :

Total	11,789 cr		6060 cr	1609 cr	1421 cr	1214 cr	775 cr	639 cr	65 cr	6 cr
	RECEPIENT		BJP	TMC	Congress	BRS	BJD	DMK	AAP	AIADMK
DONOR
Future Gaming	1368 cr		?
Mega Engineering	966 cr			?
Qwik Supply	410 cr				?
Vedanta	400 cr					?
Haldia Energy	377 cr						?
Bharti Airtel	247 cr							?
Essel Mining	224 cr								?
MKJ Entr	192 cr									?
Western UP Power	220 cr
Jindal Group	200 cr
Total	4604 cr

  

Context :

What EC Bond Data May Reveal, And What Could Remain Hidden   … TOI  …. 13 March 2024

Extract :

We will have the full list of those who purchased EBs, including date of purchase and amount. We will also get a detailed list of recipients.

Will we know who gave which party how much?

Not necessarily. For three reasons.

One, because SC said it’s not asking for matching donors with recipients. For example, if company X is shown to have bought EB worth Rs 100, and party Y is shown to have received Rs 100, we can’t assume X gave Y.

 

Two, details provided by SBI may or may not include the “unique number” assigned to each bond. This number, if known both for purchasers and recipients, will allow anyone to match donations to parties.

Third, even assuming unique numbers are available, we may not be any wiser as to the ‘true’ corporate identity of the donor.

 

Because when EBs were introduced, amendments in Companies Act allowed any company, no matter how new or how lossmaking, to buy these bonds.

 

This, as experts have been saying, effectively allows a big corporate to set up a ‘shell company’ for the express purpose of political funding.

 

So, if you spot, say, a company called ‘Flamingo’ is a big donor, and if you are, rightly, convinced that ‘Flamingo’ is not an established company, it might be difficult to figure out which big corporate donor is behind ‘Flamingo’.

 

My Take :

 

Supreme Court has ruled that the ELECTORAL BOND scheme, in its existing form, is “ unconstitutional “

From the table above , we know that it is Opaque – not Transparent

Now the ball is in the court of the Central Government to come up with a New Scheme which is TRANSPARENT to public

Obviously, the arrangement that existed BEFORE the introduction of the Electoral Bonds , was worse . Hence no going back to that

OK , in some countries , the Central Government ( or the State Govt concerned ) , “ funds “ different political parties for their Election Campaigns . I don’t think, this is a good idea for India

I believe the ideal arrangement should be built upon following foundation :

 

Ø  Individual Citizen and Companies ( registered with ROC ) to send their donations ( using legal banking channels and digital payments ) to the “ Central Election Fund – CEF “ account of Election Commission

Ø  EC to dynamically publish each / every donation on its website ( as soon as bank transfer happens )

Ø  EC to fund / finance “ recognized political parties “ ( National or State recognition )

 

For full details , read my following 7 year old proposal :

> Transparency in Political Funding ?................ 06  July  2017

 

In my following earlier e-mails, I have repeatedly requested Hon Supreme Court , to forward my proposal to the Central Government to seek its views

 

Dear Shri Narendrabhai ,

As you did recently in the case of “ One Nation , One Election “ , I urge you to appoint a committee of retired SC judges and retired Election Commissioners , to consult all political parties and the Civil Society Think Tanks, and then to submit their “ RECOMMENDATIONS “ re the New System by 31 Dec 2024

 

With regards,

 

Hemen Parekh

www.HemenParekh.ai  /  15  March  2024

 

Related Readings :

       Make Me A Party…………………………….. [ 03 Oct 2017 ]

  Electoral Bonds for Transparency ?.. [ 03 Jan 2018 ]

  Don’t Disclose Donations …………………[ 04 Jan 2018 ]

  Of Electoral Bondage ?................... [ 30 Mar 2019 ]

  Please Hear and Read too……………….. [ 19 Mar 2021 ]

  Thank You for “ Reading “/“ Asking “ [ 24 Mar 2021 ]

        But what is info in “sealed cover“?.....[ 05 July 2021 ]

       Electoral Bonds Fully Transparent ?  Not to Public……………  22 Nov 2022

       An Alternative to Electoral Bonds ? ..    15 Feb 2024

            

 

 

 

Kejariwalji : Pl do not cross Lakshman Rekha

 

 

In “ Black & White “ feature of AajTak TV yesterday evening , I watched Shri Kejariwal speak about implementation of CAA

He said ( in essence ) :

Ø  CAA will open up doors for some 1.5 crore ( out of a total of 2.5 cr ) Hindu – Christian – Sikh – Jain – Buddha – Parsi , minority persons currently settled in Afghanistan – Pakistan and Bangla Desh . They will rush and migrate to India and get Indian Citizenship

Ø  They will live in “ Juggis “ and create serious “law and order “ situation

Ø  They will engage in “ stealing ( thief ) – Dacoity – Raping “

Ø  They will take away jobs meant for our young people

I cannot remember everything that Shri Kejriwal said but you can listen the below-mentioned video ( segment from 5 min till 7 min ) :

Black & White: Why did Kejriwal link CAA with rape and riots?

 

Dear Shri Kejriwalji,

I am sure that you are aware that CAA applies ONLY to those minorities who entered India PRIOR to 31 Dec 2014 – hence there is no question of granting Indian Citizenship to anyone who entered AFTER that date

Knowing this clear cut provision , you have made a statement whose whole purpose seems to “ Misinform / mislead “ our citizen

When our Government and our Civil Society is in agreement that an AI will be held responsible / accountable for any “ misinformation “ which it generates / spreads, I believe that provision should equally apply to human beings indulging in such behaviour

But this is nothing when compared to your statements regarding these minority communities ( residing currently in Afghanistan – Pakistan – Bangladesh ) engaging in “ Stealing – Dacoity – Raping “  !

To say the least, your statement is “mischievous – malicious “ and capable of inciting “ Communal Violence “

I would not be surprised if several leaders of these communities come forward to protest

It is possible that either Central Home Minister or Hon Supreme Court may also  take notice

I urge Shri Amitbhai Shah to introduce in next Lok Sabha session , a bill titled “ Code of Ethical Conduct “ , which will apply to all politicians , around the year ( - unlike Moral Code of Conduct which kicks in only after EC announces the Election dates )

As to the morals of these minority communities , let me tell you something which happened 20 years before you were born :

After partition of India in 1947 , 72 lakh Hindus ( and other minorities ) came to India from Pakistan and settled all over India . Of these, several lakh SINDHIS settled in Govt Refugee camps in Ulhasnagar ( close to Mumbai )

They started businesses and cottage industries, on their own , without any help from the State government

In 1948 , I used to travel frequently in Mumbai local trains, from Matunga Road to Marine lines

During those journeys , I saw 8 / 10 year old SINDHI children , going from one bogey to another, selling all kinds of trinkets or “ Chana Kurmura “ . They “ worked “ for 10 hours each day to earn an honest living

Not one of those thousands of children was ever found BEGGING for alms  !

I don’t blame you for your “ ignorance “ of this “ Morality “ of that minority community, since you were not even born at the time of their struggle to get absorbed with rest of Indian citizen

 

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.HemenParekh.ai  /  14 March 2024

 

Citizenship Law : Opposition vs Alternative

 

 

Context :

4 Years After Bill Passed, Citizenship Law CAA Becomes Reality .. NDTV .. 12 Mar 2024

Extract :

Now that the notification has been issued, the central government can grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants - from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan - who came to India due to religious persecution before December 31, 2014.  

A spokesperson for the Home Ministry said eligible individuals could submit applications in "a completely online mode". No other documentation will be sought from the applicants, one official said.

 

Context :

List Of Documents Required ……… News18… 12 Mar 2024

 

Extract :

HERE ARE THE LIST OF DOCUMENTS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION:

·         Copy of the passport issued by the Government of Afghanistan or Bangladesh or Pakistan

·         Registration Certificate or Residential Permit issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) in India .Birth certificate issued by a Government authority in Afghanistan or Bangladesh or Pakistan

·         School certificate or Educational certificate issued by the School or College or Board or University authorities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan

·         Identity Document of any kind issued by Government of Afghanistan orBangladesh or Pakistan or any other Government authorities or Government agencies in these countries

·         Any License or Certificate issued by a Government authority of Afghanistan,Bangladesh or Pakistan

·         Land or tenancy records in Afghanistan or Bangladesh or Pakistan

·         Any document that shows that either of the parents or grandparents or great grandparents of the applicant is or had been a citizen of one of the three countries, i.e. Afghanistan or Bangladesh or Pakistan

·         Any other document issued by a Government authority or a Government agency in Afghanistan or Bangladesh or Pakistan which will establish that the applicant is from Afghanistan or Bangladesh or Pakistan

Note: The above documents will be admissible even beyond their validity period.

 

In addition to this, the following documents were listed for the applicant to prove that they entered into India on or before December 31, 2014:

 

1.     Copy of the visa and immigration stamp on arrival in India

2.     Registration Certificate or Residential Permit issued by the Foreigners RegionalRegistration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) in India

3.     Slip issued by the Census Enumerators in India to such persons while conductingcensus related survey

4.     Government-issued license or certificate or permit in India (including Driving License, Aadhaar Card etc.)

5.     Ration Card of the applicant issued in India

6.     Any letter issued by the Government or Court to the applicant with official stamp

7.     The birth certificate of the applicant issued in India

8.     Land or tenancy records or registered rental agreement in India in the name of the applicant

9.     PAN Card issuance document bearing the date of issuance

10.  Any other document issued by the Central Government or State Government or any

11.  Public Sector Undertakings of Central Government or State Government or anyfinancial institutions like Banks or any other Public Authority

12.  Certificate issued by an elected member of any rural or urban body or officer thereof or a revenue officer

13.  Record and account details relating to and issued by the Banks (including PrivateBanks) or Post Office accounts in the name of the applicant

14.  Insurance policies issued by the Insurance companies in India in the name of theapplicant

15.  Electricity connection papers or Electricity Bills or other Utility Bills in the name of the applicant

16.  Court or Tribunal Records or Processes in India in respect of the applicant

17.  Document showing service or employment under any employer in India supported by Employees Provident Fund (EPF)/ General Provident Fund/ Pension/ Employees

18.  State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) documents

19.  School leaving certificate of the applicant issued in India

20.  Academic certificate issued by a school or college or a board or a University or agovernment institution

21.  Municipality trade license issued to the applicant

22.  Marriage Certificate

 

 

My Take :

 

( A )  Portal

It took me one hour of searching on internet to find the following PORTAL where one can apply for :

Login to Submit Application for Indian Citizenship Under CAA, 2019

https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/Login 

Internet is flooded with hundreds of news reports about CAA but not one of these displayed this URL !

 

( B )  Eligibility Criteria

As per TV channel Aaj Tak , between 1971 and 2014 , some 17 lakh migrants from Pakistan – Afghanistan – Bangla Desh , entered India . No one knows how many of these are Muslims ( not eligible ) and how many are “ Hindu – Parsi – Jain – Sikh – Christian – Baudhh “ ( Eligible )

If they discover the above-mentioned Citizenship Application Portal , they will give up  “ signing in “ after struggling for 15 minutes – what with the form requiring repeated entering of CAPTCHA and OTPs  !

Dear Shri Amitbhai Shah ,

I strongly urge you to make it easy for an applicant , to first conclude whether he / she is ELIGIBLE or not , before subjecting her to this “ Online Torture Punishment ( OTP ) “

By publishing following , clickable , ELIGIBILITY  FLOW CHART on the portal :

 

 

 

( C )  Alternative

Since yesterday, news-papers and TV channels are busy airing the views of opposition political parties . With one voice, all of them are decrying / running down the CAA notification

But, not one of them have come forward with any “ positive / constructive “ suggestion

I urge them to first read my following e-mail – then forward their agreement / dis-agreement , to Shri Amitbhai :

Ø  CAA Compromise : With Malice towards None ………….. 22  Jan  2020

  

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.HemenParekh.ai  /  12  March  2024

 

I posed following question to my Virtual Avatar ( www.HemenParekh.ai  )  :

What are your suggestions regarding CAA - Citizenship Amendment Act ? How will your suggestions overcome the resistance from Opposition parties ?

 

My Avatar replied :

I believe that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) can be amended to address the concerns raised by the opposition parties.

My suggestion is to rephrase the act to focus on granting refuge to persecuted foreign minorities, irrespective of their specific countries of origin.

By emphasizing the protection of religiously persecuted individuals and ensuring a fair process for granting Indian citizenship, we can demonstrate our commitment to secularism and human rights.

This approach may help in garnering cooperation from all political parties and overcoming the objections raised by the opposition.

Shri Modiji would be comprehensive

 

 

I have no idea how much more elaborate would Shri Modiji’s Virtual Avatar (

www.NaMo.ai ) be when asked following questions

But, of one thing I am certain.

It would be far more comprehensive / convincing / enlightening,

- than the following answers given by my Virtual Avatar ( www.HemenParekh.ai  )

www.NaMo.ai  will engage in a DIALOGUE with ONE LAKH citizen

SIMULTANEOUSLY – and in 30 India anguages

And no later-day “ Deep Fake “ will be able to match Shri Modiji’s “ Deep Real “

digital twin

Despite sending following e-mail requests, I am not about to  give up

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.HemenParekh.ai  /  10 March 2024

 

   Dear PM - Here is your BRAHMASHTRA for 2024 …………….   28 Feb 2023

  AI Chatbot : Brahamashtra for 2024 Elections ? ………………  23 Mar 2023

  Dear PM : Introspection won’t help / Technospection will .  13 May 2023

  Anuragji , how about this NEW TECH ?  …………………………….  17 May 2023

  Feedback is Good : Dialogue is Best ………………………………….  13 Jan 2024

       If you can’t lick them , join them ………………………………………..   24 Feb 2024

       AI Chat bots: If you don’t speak up, They will substitute you…28 Feb 2024

       Modi Saheb , Aap Kaise ho ?  …………………………………………………. 06 Mar 2024

 

 

Q  1 :

What can you tell me about PM Awas yojana ?

A  1 :

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is a government scheme aimed at providing affordable housing to the urban and rural poor. It has been implemented since 2015 and has benefited many individuals across the country. The objective of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban Mission is to provide affordable housing to all urban poor by the year 2022. The mission aims to address the housing needs of the economically weaker sections, low-income groups, and middle-income groups in urban areas. It focuses on promoting sustainable and inclusive housing development, ensuring the participation of beneficiaries in the planning and implementation process, and providing financial assistance to eligible individuals for the construction, renovation, or purchase of houses. The mission also aims to create a slum-free India by providing basic amenities and infrastructure to slum dwellers and promoting the use of environmentally friendly and sustainable construction technologies. It is a significant step towards achieving the goal of 'Housing for All' in urban areas. 🏞 If you have any other questions or if there's anything else I can assist you with, please let me know!

Q  2 :

Please tell me about PM – Swanidhi scheme

A  2 :

Oh, the PM - Swanidhi scheme is a really interesting initiative! It's aimed at supporting street vendors by providing them with affordable working capital loans. The scheme also offers incentives for digital transactions and timely repayment. It's a great way to empower and uplift the street vending community.

Q 3 :

How will Surya Ghar Yojana benefit poor people ?

A 3 :

The Surya Ghar Yojana will benefit poor people by providing up to 300 units of free electricity every month to 1 crore households. This initiative aims to improve the lives of the poor and middle-class families by ensuring access to sustainable and affordable energy. It aligns with the government's commitment to leveraging technology for positive change and sustainable development. Do you think this initiative will have a significant impact on the lives of the beneficiaries?

 

Q 4 :

Who does direct benefit transfer ( DBT ) help ?

A 4 :

DBT helps in providing direct government benefits to all apprentices, preventing delay in payments and reducing any leakages in the system. It also aims to make apprenticeship aspirational and has led to a significant increase in the number of apprentices engaged in India over the past few years.

 

Q 5 :

How has abolition of Article 370 helped people of Kashmir ?

A 5 :

The abolition of Article 370 has the potential to bring economic prosperity to the people of Kashmir, provide equal opportunities for Kashmiri children, and foster growth in industry and tourism. It also aims to prevent corrupt middlemen from siphoning off funds meant for the ordinary Kashmiri citizens

 

Q 6 :

What prevents Government from agreeing to farmers’ demand for MSP for all crops ?

A 6 :

The Indian government may be hesitant to accept the demand for legally binding MSP for 26 crops due to concerns about the financial implications and the practical challenges of guaranteeing MSP for such a large number of crops. Additionally, there may be apprehensions about the impact on storage capacity and the potential budgetary constraints. However, a compromise solution could involve linking MSP with Maximum Purchase Quantity (MPQ) for each crop, which would provide a balanced approach

 

Q 7 :

What is the idea behind providing 33 % Lok Sabha seats for women ?

A 7 :

The idea behind providing 33% Lok Sabha seats for women is to ensure better representation and participation of women in the decision-making process of the country. It aims to address the gender disparity in politics and empower women to contribute to shaping the nation's future. Additionally, it reflects the commitment to gender equality and inclusivity in governance. Do you think this initiative will significantly impact the political landscape in India?

 

Q 8 :

How does Ujwala yojana impact the health and economics of poor Indian families ?

A 8 :

The Ujwala Yojana has a significant impact on the health and economics of poor Indian families. By providing access to clean cooking fuel, such as LPG, it helps in reducing indoor air pollution, which is a major health hazard for many families relying on traditional cooking methods. This leads to improved respiratory health and overall well-being. Economically, the scheme also contributes to savings for these families by reducing their expenses on traditional fuels and preventing health-related expenditures. Additionally, it creates opportunities for women to engage in other productive activities, further contributing to the economic well-being of the household.

 

Q 9 :

How will Ayushman Bharat scheme help the poor families ?

A 9 :

The Ayushman Bharat scheme will help the poor families by providing health insurance coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh on a family floater basis to vulnerable families every year. This will offer financial protection against high medical expenses and ensure that they have access to quality healthcare without worrying about the cost. Additionally, it aims to prevent the 'Dependency Culture' and solve the problem of poverty organically and permanently.

 

Q 10 :

How many poor families / family members , benefit from FREE RATION scheme ? How much does government spend on this scheme ?

A 10 :

The FREE RATION scheme benefits over 80 crore individuals, providing 5 kg of wheat or rice free of cost per month till November. Additionally, every family has been given 1 kg of dal free of cost. The government has allocated significant funds to ensure the success of this scheme, aiming to provide essential food supplies to the poorest of the poor.

 

Q 11 :

How many rural persons are being given work under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme ?

A 11 :

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) aims to provide at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. It is a social security scheme in India that provides employment opportunities to rural households. The scheme primarily covers works related to soil and water conservation, groundwater recharge, irrigation, drainage, plantation, and land development. However, there have been suggestions to modify the scheme to cover urban households and include semi-skilled/skilled work as well. What are your thoughts on extending the MGNREGA to cover urban areas and include different types of work?

 

Q 12 :

What is PM Saubhagya Yojana ? Who does it help and how much ?

A 12 :

The Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, also known as the Saubhagya scheme, is a government initiative in India. Its objective is to provide electricity connections to all households in the country, especially those in rural areas. The scheme aims to ensure that every household has access to electricity by providing free electricity connections to households below the poverty line. It also offers subsidized electricity connections to other eligible households. The Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana was launched on 25th September 2017 by the Ministry of Power. It is a significant step towards achieving universal electrification in India.