PM-CARES Coronavirus fund unnecessary; raises many disturbing questions: CPI(M)

CPI(M) has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over creation of PM Cares Fund for those affected by coronavirus and said a similar fund was set up after Pulwama attack and re has been transparency about it. Polit Bureau said in a statement that a separate fund for COVID-19 pandemic was unnecessary.

statement said Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) has been in existence since 1948 and has an unspent balance of Rs 3,800 crore. accounts of fund are transparent; audited by CAG, and auto-generated receipts are given to dors, it said. It also said that on trust set up for new fund, Prime Minister and three or ministers were trustees, without any opposition party or civil society leaders as members.

"Substantial donations have poured in from corporate world, celebrities, public sector undertakings etc. re are reports that a day's salary is being deducted from government employees and professionals, armed and para-military forces as a contribution towards this fund. Furr, corporates will be considered as fulfilling ir CSR obligations by merely contributing to this fund. "re is mention of maintenance of accounts, ir auditor on answerability of decisions taken by se four trustees. In short, re is transparency and accountability," it alleged.

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After Pulwama terrorist attack, a similar fund was set up called Bharat ke Veer", to provide assistance to victims of this trdy. "However, so far, transparency or accountability on how this fund was utilized is visible. In this background, PM Cares raises many disturbing questions...Under se circumstances, given federal principles of our Constitution, amounts collected by this new fund should be transferred to PMNRF and from re to state governments for meeting challenges of pandemic and saving people's lives," it said.

PM CARES Fund

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund), where citizens can contribute to aide government's efforts in supporting those affected by disasters. This fund will provide relief to affected from any walk of life dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation. PM Modi also urged Indians to donate generously. fund is chaired by PM Modi and includes Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

(With PTI inputs) 

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