NEW DELHI, Mar 18: Concerned over growing influence of “black money” in elections, government today vowed to take “every single step” to eliminate the menace and said the matter will be discussed with stakeholders after receiving Law Commission’s suggestions.
“The Government and the Election Commission are seriously concerned about the growing influence of black money in elections…I assure the House that every single effort will be made to eliminate the possibility of people and money invading into our electoral system,” Law and Justice Minister Ashwani Kumar said in Rajya Sabha.
Replying to a supplementary during Question Hour, he said with a view to eliminating the use of unaccounted money and money power in elections, the issue of electoral reforms in its entirety has been referred to the Law Commission.
“The Law Commission has been requested to give concrete suggestions by April this year. On receipt of recommendations of the Law Commission, the matter will be further examined in consultation with political parties and other stake holders,” he said.
Kumar said the Election Commission has also offered its views on some aspect of the suggested electoral reforms.
It has been since 2010 Bihar Assembly polls, that Election Commission has been monitoring the election expenditure and after evaluating their impact, it has decided to enforce similar measures in 2011 elections of legislative assemblies.
The Minister said during recent elections in 2011, 2012 and 2013, Rs 36.54 crore unaccounted money was seized in Tamil Nadu, Rs 36.29 crore in Uttar Pradesh and Rs 30.65 crore in Andhra Pradesh among others. (PTI)
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