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'Do PM-CARES Donors Include Chinese Firms?': P Chidambaram Asks Government
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A media enthusiast, Devyani believes in learning on the job and there is nothing off limits when it comes to work. Writing is her passion and she is always ready for a debate as well.
India, 19 Aug 2020 2:02 PM GMT | Updated 19 Aug 2020 2:26 PM GMT
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Creatives : Devyani Madaik
A media enthusiast, Devyani believes in learning on the job and there is nothing off limits when it comes to work. Writing is her passion and she is always ready for a debate as well.
After the Supreme Court refused to order the transfer of PM-CARES funds for COVID relief to NDRF, veteran Congress leader P Chidambaram raised questions on the transparency of the fund, it's functioning, and management practices.
Supreme Court has delivered a judgement on the legality and legal accountability of PM-CARES FUND. The judgement is final but will be contested for a long time in academic circles.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) August 19, 2020
Who are the donors who gave Rs 3076 crore in
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) August 19, 2020
the first five days in March 2020? Do they include Chinese firms?
What is the amount received since April 1, 2020 and who are the donors?
The Supreme Court had rejected a petition that asked the government for transferring contributions made to Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES) to the NDRF. The court while dismissing the plea said the funds collected by the PM-CARES fund are those of charitable trusts and 'entirely different'.
The court further said that voluntary contribution can always be made to the NDRF as there is no statutory bar under the Disaster Management Act. The opposition party expressed its disappointment over the top Court's judgment, reported NDTV.
Chidambaram also asked as to who gave Rs 3,076 crores in the initial five days of the set up of the trust in March and questioned if it included Chinese firms.
PM-CARES fund was set up by the centre on March 28 to provide immediate relief for in emergencies like the one currently posed due to pandemic. The Prime Minister is the ex-officio chairman of the fund and the defence, home and finance ministers are ex-officio trustees.
"If the Fund is beyond the ambit of RTI, who will answer these vital questions?" Mr Chidambaram questioned further.
Adding, he said there are other aspects of PM-CARES FUND on which the SC had no occasion to pronounce judgement, and that includes transparency, disclosure and management practices concerning the Fund.
The legal validity and the transparency of the fund have been questioned time and again by citizens and the opposition. Many have questioned why the fund is not under the audit of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
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