Finance Bill 2017: A step closer towards Despotism
The Finance Bill 2017, was introduced in Lok Sabha on Feb 1, 2017. When you have 282 seats in Lok Sabha out of 545, you tend to bully and have your bills passed. This is what BJP has been doing for a lot of time at the cost of our democracy.
Well, now it's just a day to 2018 but still the finance bill 2017 that was passed undemocratically as a money bill earlier this year will haunt our democracy. There were about 40 amendments to various laws but mainly there are 5 controversial amendments.
Before we move on,
The big question is why does everything like this go silently? The media channels (TVs mainly, except Prime Time NDTV) don't cover it, there are no protests and the main thing is that most people don't know about it (Thanks to Venal media). This has to change, and I am sure it will.
Well, now it's just a day to 2018 but still the finance bill 2017 that was passed undemocratically as a money bill earlier this year will haunt our democracy. There were about 40 amendments to various laws but mainly there are 5 controversial amendments.
- Tribunal mergers
- Electoral bonds
- Aadhar Pan linkage
- Income Tax Act amendment
- NGO funding
Before we move on,
What is a finance bill?
Any bill that includes provisions relating to finance is called a finance bill. It is in a very broad sense. It may include some provisions outside the scope of finance. A Money Bill is a part of finance bill.
How does a finance bill differ from a money bill?
Bills which exclusively contain provisions for imposition and abolition of taxes, for appropriation of money out of the Consolidated Fund, etc., are certified as Money Bills. Money Bills can be introduced only in Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha cannot make amendments in a Money Bill passed by Lok Sabha and transmitted to it. It can, however, recommend amendments in a Money Bill, but must return all Money Bills to Lok Sabha within fourteen days from the date of their receipt. It is open to Lok Sabha to accept or reject any or all of the recommendations of Rajya Sabha with regard to a Money Bill. source: (http://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/intro/p5.htm)
In short, if a money bill is passed by Lok Sabha, it is less likely to get a final rejection.
How are bills passed in the Indian Parliament?
Now about the controversies, one by one
(This is not the first time, a controversial bill has been passed as a money bill. Because a money bill is introduced only in Lok Sabha, BJP being in majority can pass any money bill without opposition).
1) Tribunal Mergers
A tribunal in India refers to a person or an institution that has powers and procedures of those vested in a court of law or judge.
The main problem with the issue of these mergers is that the mergers could do away with the independent working of the tribunals that are being merged.
There is no relation between national highway and Airport tribunal and these could be managed differently in an effective manner.
Also, how would Telecom tribunal handle cases of an Airport tribunal?
Maybe govt has its own plans. But still, they need to justify. Let's move to other issues.
The main problem with the issue of these mergers is that the mergers could do away with the independent working of the tribunals that are being merged.
There is no relation between national highway and Airport tribunal and these could be managed differently in an effective manner.
Also, how would Telecom tribunal handle cases of an Airport tribunal?
Maybe govt has its own plans. But still, they need to justify. Let's move to other issues.
2) Electoral Bonds
Ok, now the main controversy of the finance bill.
In this policy, the govt has decreased the cash donation limit to political parties from Rs 20,000 to Rs 2000 above which the donor has to reveal his identity. While this may seem to be a good move, electoral bonds make us think deeper.
Electoral bonds are just like other bearer bonds. Electoral bonds allow anyone to donate to any political party anonymously. The upper limit for donation - None.
Just imagine, you could give a hundred crores to govt for an illegal task without revealing your identity (to the public) and that too legally. Of course, the govt (present and any other that comes to power) could ask for a bribe in the form of bonds. And this will be an easy way to convert black money into white. Aur Kitne Acche din chahiye?
Not only this, previously there was an upper cap on the donations a company could make to political parties which now has been removed and they don't even need to enter that into their books of accounts.
How the process works?
- You want to donate to a political party. You go to a bank and apply for the bond in the specified denomination.
- The bank will issue a bearer bond. A bearer bond is a bond where the holder of the bond will be eligible for converting the bond into cash.
- Donor identity will be hidden from the political party but known to the bank.
- The political party can convert the bond into their bank account within a specified time.
While this may seem to be a transparent system, donor identity is not revealed at all and political parties may use this as a means of mass channelized funding. With income tax being used as per political needs of our incumbent, transferring a huge amount of money is not a difficult task.
3)Aadhar - Pan linkage
According to me, linking Aadhar-Pan will help the govt find tax defaulters and deactivate duplicate pan cards. But the main thing is why this in a money bill? Linking Aadhar is a structural change and not merely related to taxes. Data privacy is being lost with govt linking Aadhar to everything.
Ok, you may say it's a good thing, why so much of criticism?
Then why the hell govt does not link voter cards to Aadhar cards to detect duplicate votes?
Because then they will not be able to win!
4)Income Tax amendment
Inspector Raj is back
With the amendment to income tax act 2016, the income tax officer can raid your house without proper reason and without a court order, seize your property and you cannot even go to court for six months.
What does that mean?
You speak against the govt, it will rip you off everything.
5) Ngo funding
As per the finance bill, political parties are allowed to receive funding through international means (this was allowed from 2016) but NGOs cannot.
why?
Political parties use funds more appropriately than NGOs
Ok, we have a scary situation here. Our democracy is in danger. Political corruption - legalized, Your every moved tracked through your Aadhar, Inspector raj is here, Govt is spending on bullet trains, seaplanes instead of education, healthcare, and environment, Hindu Muslim issues matter more (believe me, they are doing what Britishers had done in 1947 - divide and rule) than economy, the new FRDI bill locks your money in your bank account.
Guys, you have to think broadly. It's a whole damn trap. Where is Vikas? Amit Shah has murder cases on him, even Yogi too has many criminal cases pending against him.
We have 2019. Think twice before you Vote. There is a NOTA button in the last
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