Gujarat Emerges as Fifth Largest Recipient of Electoral Trust Funds in India
A recent analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has shed light on the distribution of electoral trust contributions across Indian states for the financial year 2024-25. According to the report, which examined data from the Election Commission of India (ECI) website, Gujarat received a substantial sum of Rs 200.5 crore, positioning it as the fifth highest beneficiary nationwide.
State-Wise Funding Rankings and Key Contributors
The ADR report detailed that Maharashtra led the list with an impressive Rs 1,225.4 crore, followed by Telangana at Rs 358.2 crore, Haryana at Rs 212.9 crore, and West Bengal at Rs 203.8 crore. In Gujarat's case, the entire amount of Rs 200.5 crore was donated exclusively by the Prudent Electoral Trust. Notably, the Satya/Prudent Electoral Trust has maintained a consistent record, being the only trust to submit its annual report for all twelve years since 2013-14.
Corporate and Individual Contributions to Prudent Electoral Trust
Out of the 228 corporate and business houses that contributed to electoral trusts in FY 2024-25, a significant majority of 182 entities directed their funds to Prudent Electoral Trust, resulting in a total contribution of Rs 2,479 crore. Similarly, among 99 individuals and proprietors who donated to electoral trusts, 96 chose Prudent Electoral Trust, accounting for Rs 187.5 crore. The report highlighted that several major corporates based in Gujarat were among the donors, as per submissions on the ECI website.
Industry Analysis of Donors and Funding Trends
An industry-wise breakdown of contributors revealed that manufacturing firms accounted for the largest share of donations, according to the ADR report. This sector was followed by real estate, communication and telecom, finance, mining, construction, infrastructure, engineering, power and oil, and healthcare, among others. This analysis underscores the diverse economic sectors involved in electoral funding through trusts, with manufacturing leading the way in financial contributions.
