As the conspiracy and air of distrust fogs, the objective of the PM Cares Fund which had been established to provide funds in emergency and distress situations, a new circular issued by the finance ministry further adds to the questions being raised about this fund.
The central government is yet to declare the use of such funds which has been accumulating and why the PM Relief Fund had not been utilized as it exists for natural disasters and has been building for years.
“Modified circular”
The finance ministry has issued a modified circular to staff regarding the contribution of one day’s salary every month till March 2021 to the PM-CARES Fund. A circular issued on April 17 had urged all the officers and staff of the finance ministry to contribute one day’s salary every month to the fund till March 2021, beginning with May salaries.
The earlier circular read “those not willing to donate must write to the drawing and disbursing officer of the revenue department intimating their unwillingness to make the contribution,” which has now been changed to “ willing to donate must write to the drawing & disbursing officer of the revenue department.”
The earlier circular had indirectly mandated such a donation as many officials saw their salaries being cut and directed towards the fund as it had to be opted-out by means of communication to the concerned officer. If no such communication was made, such a donation was seen as voluntary.
“Donation period”
The modified circular which was issued on 29 April 2020, also urges all officers to donate one day’s salary every month towards this fund in order to fight the on-going pandemic and that this donation will be running through the entire fiscal year. The donation can be made during the period between May to next March.
“More clarity required”
As several reports flood the news about doctors and officials’ salaries being directed towards the suspicious PM Cares Fund, several outbursts by angry citizens had made its way to the government officials demanding changes to the rules which eventually led to the Finance Ministry providing the modified circular.
