SC rules PM-CARES funds can't be directed to transferred to NDRF; dismisses plea

Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered its verdict in petition seeking transfer of PM CARES Funds to National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) dismissing plea, upholding that money from PM Cares Fund cant be directed to be deposited or transferred to NDRF. " prayer to transfer money from PM CARES Fund to NDRF is refused. Subject to clarifications, writ petition is dismissed," said apex court.

 bench headed by Justices Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and M R Shah prounced  judgment on plea which sought a direction that all contributions made by individuals and institutions for COVID-19 pandemic should be credited to NDRF, rar than to PM CARES Fund.

petitioner NGO 'Centre for Public Interest Litigation' (CPIL) stated that y weren't doubting bonafide of anyone but creation of PM CARES Fund itself which was allegedly "in contravention of provisions of Disaster Manment Act." plea also raised questions on audit of PM CARES Fund which Centre anunced would be done by private auditors.

main argument presented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Centre, was that PM CARES Fund was a "voluntary fund" while funds to NDRF and SDRF were made available through budgetary allocations and parliamentary approvals.  Supreme Court had on July 27, reserved its order on petition. 

Read: SC Reserves Order On Plea For Transferring Funds Collected In PM CARES To NDRF

Read: BJP President Lambasts Rahul Gandhi For Raising Transparency Concerns About PM CARES Fund

What is PM CARES fund? 

Called  Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund, this charitable trust was set up by Centre on March 28. While PM Modi is Chairman of this trust,  Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister are or members. All citizens including individuals, corporates, and organizations can contribute to this fund to augment relief efforts in wake of vel coronavirus crisis.

donation to PM CARES fund is exempted from Income Tax under Section 80(G). Additionally, PM Modi specified that fund would t only cater to similar situations in future but would also help strengn disaster manment capacity. One can donate via bank transfer, UPI, Debit and Credit Cards, and Internet banking. 

Meanwhile, opposition mainly Congress party has been relentlessly attacking PM CARES fund demanding that it should be merged with PM National Relief Fund. Last week, Rahul Gandhi lashed out at Centre after PMO turned down an RTI request concerning PM CARES fund. He accused PM Modi of bolstering a culture against 'moral integrity.' 

Read: FIR Lodged Against Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi Over Party's Attacks Against PM CARES Fund

Read: Rahul Gandhi Flays Centre After PMO Refuses To Give Information About PM CARES On RTI Plea