Centre says questions about PM Cares Fund in Lok Sabha not permissible, reports ‘The Indian Express’

The Prime Minister’s Office has told the Lok Sabha Secretariat that questions related to the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund are not permissible under rules related to the conduct of business in Parliament’s Lower House, The Indian Express reported on Monday.

Besides PM Cares, questions and matters pertaining to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund and the National Defence Fund are also not allowed under Rule 41(2) (viii) and 41(2)(xvii) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the newspaper quoted the PMO as saying.

The Prime Minister’s Office and the Lok Sabha Secretariat did not respond to requests for comments from The Indian Express.

The PM Cares Fund was established in March 2020 with the stated objective of being a dedicated national fund to deal with “any kind of emergency or distress situation” in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The fund has been the subject of criticism from Opposition parties, who have raised questions about its transparency and have questioned the need to create the reserve when the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund existed.

The PMNRF was set up in 1948 to provide immediate relief to those affected by natural disasters, accidents or riots. It is entirely funded by voluntary public contributions.

Rule 41(2) (viii) of the Rules of Procedure...

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