The PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF), which was set up in 1948, is not audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) either.
New Delhi| On Friday, PM CARES Fund, created amid the COVID-19 crisis to be a war chest for national crises, will not be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), sources told NDTV.
Sources in the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) offices said, “Since the fund is based on donations of individuals and organisations, we have no right to audit the charitable organisation.”
The Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations trust, established by the cabinet on March 28, has PM Narendra Modi as its chairperson and senior cabinet members as trustees.
“Unless the trustees ask us to audit, we will not be auditing the accounts,” a senior official in the Comptroller and Auditor General of India said.
Central Govt sources have reportedly said the PM CARES fund will be audited by independent auditors designated by the trustees.
Since the COVID-19, there have been several appeals from the PM Narendra Modi, corporations and noted public figures to donate to the fund.
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Recently, the Cabinet Secretary had urged secretaries to ask all its officials, public sector undertakings and others to contribute to the PM CARES Fund.
Nevertheless, the opposition has asked questions about the need of the Fund when the PMNRF already exists since 1948.
The Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations trust, which accepts tax-free donations from individuals and corporates, has seen many high-profile donations from almost all major industrial groups, movie stars and Government departments.
(Source: NDTV)
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