PMO Bars Lok Sabha Questions on PM CARES, Relief and Defence Funds

The Prime Minister’s Office has told the Lok Sabha Secretariat to disallow questions on three funds. These include PM CARES, the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, and the National Defence Fund. Sources said the PMO issued the communication on January 30. It cited Rules 41(2)(viii) and 41(2)(xvii) of Lok Sabha procedure.

PMO cites rules, says funds rely only on public donations

The rules bar questions on matters outside the government’s direct responsibility. They also restrict scrutiny of bodies not under government control. The PMO said the funds depend entirely on voluntary public donations. The government does not allocate money from the Consolidated Fund of India. Because of this, Parliament cannot seek details on the funds, the PMO stated. The same rules apply to zero-hour notices and special mentions. The PM CARES Fund began on March 27, 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic. It operates as a public charitable trust.

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The trust is registered under the Registration Act, 1908, in New Delhi. Financial data for 2022–23 shows a balance of ₹6,283.7 crore. The Centre earlier told the Delhi High Court that PM CARES has no legal or constitutional status. It said the fund is not a “state” under Article 12. The government also said PM CARES does not fall under the RTI Act. It described the trustees’ official positions as administrative convenience.

In August 2020, the Supreme Court rejected a plea to transfer PM CARES funds to NDRF. The court said both funds serve different purposes. The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund began in 1948. It provides relief after disasters, accidents, and riots. The National Defence Fund supports armed and paramilitary personnel. A committee headed by the Prime Minister manages the fund.

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