Lok Sabha Question No. 2008 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-10
Subject: Electoral Reforms
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR, HARIOM SINGH RATHORE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2008

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THURSDAY, the 10 th  December, 2015

## Electoral Reforms

## 2008. ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR: SHRI HARIOM SINGH RATHORE:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  assessed  or  has  any  data  regarding  the  total expenditure incurred by the Government on conducting various elections in the country during each of the last three years and the current year; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c)  whether the Government has examined the Law Commission Report Nos. 244 and 255 on electoral reforms and if so, the details and outcome thereof; (d) whether the Government has taken any decision regarding holding of simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies and use of totaliser machines for counting of votes and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  if  not,  the time by which the electoral reforms are likely to be implemented in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED OT IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2008 FOR 10.12.2015

(a)  to  (b):  As  per  the  policy  of  the  government,  the  expenditure  incurred  on  the  Lok Sabha  Election  (be  it  General  or  Bye-elections)  is  entirely  borne  by  the  Central Government when such elections are held independently. However, the expenditure on State/Union  territory  Legislative  Assemblies  is  shared  on  a  half  and  half  basis  only when these elections are held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections. For conduct of General election to Lok Sabha, the State/Union territory (with legislature) Governments  propose  their demands  to  the  Central Government  as  provisional estimates.  The  Central  Government  releases  the  funds  to  the  State/Union  territory Governments keeping in view the demands received from them and availability of funds. This exercise is of a routine nature and funds are released on a year-to-year basis. The State/Union  territory  Governments  incur  the  expenditure  for  conduct  of  General elections to Lok Sabha from their Consolidated Fund and thereafter make a claim for reimbursement of the incurred amount to the Central Government. The election accounts are settled only after receipt of the Audit Certificates from the Office of the Accountant General of the respective State/Union territory Governments. However, the provisional release made to State/Union territory Governments during the last three years i.e. 201213, 2013-14 and 2014-15 is as given below:-

| Figures in   | crore               |
|--------------|---------------------|
| YEAR         | Provisional release |
| 2012-13      | 190.37              |
| 2013-14      | 328.60              |
| 2014-15      | 510.00              |

- (c)  and  (e):  The  244 th   and  255 th   Reports  of  the  Law  Commission  of  India  on  Electoral Reforms  are  currently  being  examined  by  a  Task  Force  with  a  view  to  prepare  a roadmap for implementation of the various recommendations.
- (d): The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice  is  examining  the  issue  of  simultaneous  elections  to  Lok  Sabha  and  State Legislative Assemblies. Use of Totaliser for counting of votes is one of the recommendations of the Law Commission, which is currently under examination. Since the matter involves wide consultations and deliberations with various stake-holders, no specific time frame can be indicated for implementations of the recommendations.