Poll funding - Cabinet authorises Law Ministry

The Union Cabinet on Thursday night authorised the Law Ministry to make attempts for arriving at a consensus on the issue of state funding of elections.

This follows a request from the Election Commission to the Centre to evolve a political consensus and prepare a draft policy paper on the matter.

Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said the Election Commission had urged the Centre to work for a political consensus to draft a policy paper on state funding of election.

The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has authorised the Law Ministry to make attempts to arrive at a consensus, he said.

The Cabinet also gave its approval to a National Policy on Voluntary Sector whose main objectives include creating and enabling environment for voluntary organistion and enabling them to legitimately mobilise necessary financial resources from India and abroad.

The policy also seeks to provide an enabling environment for the voluntary sector and make it accountable so that they can play constructive role in development activities, the Minister said.