Here is why PM CARES should be scrutinised by the CAG – not by independent auditors

'In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 28 constituted a brand-new trust fund for public contributions – the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund, bearing the catchy acronym of the PM CARES Fund. On Friday, the Prime Minister’s Office refused to provide details about the Fund under the Right to Information Act, stating that PM CARES was not a “public authority” under the definition of the legislation.

Under the RTI Act, a public authority is an organisation established (a) under or by the Constitution (b) by any other law made by the parliament or (c) by a notification or order issued by the government. The definition also covers organisations financed substantially by the government, including non-governmental organisations. What is also disquieting is that PM CARES will be audited by an independent auditor and not by the Comptroller and Auditor General, the constitutional office charged with auditing all receipts and expenditure of the Central and state governments, as well as the accounts of authorities substantially financed by the government...'

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