Despite repeated reminders, 30 Rajasthan ministers and MLAs have been not paying the party’s mandatory annual contribution. The Congress took strong exception to the defaults by public representatives and indicated those who would not make contributions to the party fund, as per the Manmohan Singh Committee’s recommendations, would face action.
According to party sources, those evading making contributions will not be able to seek a party ticket. “We dashed off letters to them on several occasions but in vain. Now the elections are round the corner, they have to pay their due contribution if they want the party symbol,” said a senior Congress functionary.
Party sources said four parliamentary secretaries and 15 Congress legislators failed to pay their annual contribution to the party fund, which is mandatory. Besides them, seven ministers of the Congress state government have also defaulted.
According to party sources, Urban development minister Shanti Dhariwal, PWD minister Bharat Singh, social justice minister Ashok Bariwa, industry minister Rajendra Pareek, state minister Brijendra Ola and two other ministers have not paid the required money.
Congress sources said a Cabinet minister has to pay `23,000 while a minister of state must pay `21,000 annually, as recommended by the Manmohan Singh Committee, for the running of the party organisation. Legislators have been asked to contribute `10,000 annually.
“Even though elected representatives are able to pay this mandatory amount, several of them do not show any interest in paying,” said a party leader.
The committee, however, strongly recommended that its recommendation be enforced strictly. “It recommended that if someone defaults on payments stipulated, he/she should automatically invite the forfeiture of the benefits of membership or office,” said a Congress leader.
The committee recommended that the mandatory contribution has to be mobilised annually in a transparent manner.
As per the recommendations, the party’s elected representatives are supposed to be contribute a month’s salary to the party coffers.