'Why malign India Inc? Electoral bonds just tip of poll funding iceberg'

While most companies have mentioned about their spending in electoral bonds in some form in their annual reports, very few have been upfront and categorical about their disclosures

There was a sense of disquiet in India Inc a day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) published details of the buyers and beneficiaries of electoral bonds following the Supreme Court’s directions. Corporate leaders felt the data ought to have remained “anonymous”.

A senior executive of a company said the confidentiality of electoral bonds was on account of government policy. “It’s unfair to put companies in the interrogation box,” the executive said.
 

While top conglomerates declined to comment on the issue, some senior executives spoke to Business Standard about the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme and election funding on condition of