New Delhi : The CPI(M) Politburo demanded that data on PM Cares Fund, meant for aiding pandemic crisis, be published for transparency and subject to governmental audit.
The arrogance on part of PM’s office asserting that no details would be released, is astonishing, said PB. PM Cares Fund is under the purview of a private trust comprising PM and ministries of Home, Defence and Finance and the details of which can neither be divulged via Right To Information nor audited by any governmental agency.
The new fund was announced during parliament session this March. A day’s pay from all government employees were compulsorily funneled into the fund. Also, funds meant local development over two years from the MLA funds were set aside for the purpose. Further, the 2013 legislation was amended to facilitate corporate donations as part of CSR. Official seal and PM’s picture was used for the fund’s brand purposes. Orders were issued mandating contributions from public sector units. And at the end of all this, the Prime Minister is yet to provide answer as to why a private trust was necessary when there already exists a National Disaster Relief Fund, subject to audit by CAG established since independence,
Media reports suggest current fund levels of up to Rs 10,000 in the Trust. Of this at least Rs 4,000 came in via government agencies and employees. CPI(M) had emphasised that funds from the trust should be used Covid testing and treatment purposes alone. There are controversies now surrounding funds that were diverted toward ventilator purchases. The expenditures drawn from the Trust should bear transparency and needful funds should be made available to states, demanded PB.
