It’s been four years since COVID-19 wreaked havoc in India, but many people are still puzzled over PM CARES funds. This fund emerged as an instant way to help people in need during the pandemic. But today, amid election discussions over corruption, it is like a hidden treasure – there is no clear record of who gave or who received the money. Like the mess of electoral bonds, which shook everything, this fund also raises big questions. When its purpose is to help the public then why are the details being hidden? Let us know why this could be a bigger scam than we thought.
The PM CARES Fund was launched with good intentions. Nevertheless, its setup blurs the lines between public help and private secrets. This reversal on its status makes people think about the real motive.
Origin and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding
On March 28, 2020, the government launched the PM CARES Fund. This came just days before the end of the financial year. In just four days, it raised more than ₹3,000 crore from donors. A large part of this cash came from the social responsibility budgets of the companies.
At that time only government-linked groups could receive such funds under the Companies Act. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs issued a notice. It asked public companies and firms that they could send CSR money to PM CARES. The move showed the fund as a part of the central government. This situation meant that it should come under the Right to Information Act. People thought they could ask for details of every rupee. But questions soon started arising. Donors wanted proof of how money helped during the crisis. The fund’s quick collection of cash later sparked fights over transparency.
Previous legal wagers
To fix things, the government later changed the rules. Two months after the launch, he made changes to Schedule VII of the Companies Act. This update allowed PM CARES to join the list of CSR funds right next to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. This change was implemented from behind to cover the early days. It gave legal protection to those first large charities. Nevertheless, when people filed requests for information, the PMO changed its stance. He called it a private trust, not a public body. He said there is no need to share information under RTI. This double standard stings. Collect money in the name of public good, then hide it as private. It keeps citizens in the dark about funds created for emergencies like floods or health emergencies.
Role of high-level trustees
Who runs all this? The Prime Minister is its chairman in his official role. Three top cabinet ministers also serve as trustees in official positions. These are not common people. These are the supreme leaders of the country, who are working as representatives of the government. How can a trust with them claim private status? It seems to be a shield to avoid checks and balances. Experts say that this setup demands complete transparency. If senior officials control it, the public has the right to keep an eye on every action. There is no place for secrets in democracy.
The lack of clean accounting makes the PM CARES fund a mystery. Audits should build trust, but here they are missing. This lack fuels hidden deals and waste.
Missing financial records
Transparency activist Lokesh Batra raised an important issue. The Fund’s website only shows audit reports up to 2021 and 2022. There are no reports from 2023 or 2024. Why is there a delay? Is there no audit going on? Or are reports ready but kept hidden? Both ways, it breaks the promise of open help. People had donated thinking that they would see results. Now, silence creates doubt. At the time of elections, this opaqueness greatly damages trust in leaders.
Comparison with Electoral Bonds: Possibility of Transaction
Think about the electoral bond scam. It let the parties make anonymous cash flows, worth ₹16,500 crore. But what was the real loss? Benefits of billions in return, such as big contracts or avoiding scrutiny. PM CARES also shows the same risk. Fund of more than ₹23,000 crore in just the first three years. Who knows what the total amount is now? A firm can make a big donation, and then grab a government deal. There may also be extortion or ignoring the rules. Just as bonds hid donor-party links, the fund hides donors from being associated with the government. This is a recipe for behind-the-scenes deals. The bond was canceled by the Supreme Court due to such threats. He had said that secret money is a threat to fair play. PM CARES needs a similar investigation before it gets worse.
Known disclosures versus lack of information
We know some basics from old reports. That ₹23,000 crore figure dates back to the early years. But where did that money go? There is no list of full donors or recipients of help. Take the Aurangabad case of Maharashtra only. Patients died from a faulty ventilator from PM CARES funds. The link to the stickers proved, but the authorities removed them.
When the courts or citizens asked for papers, the answer was straightforward: private institution, no information. Lives were lost, yet no one answers. It shows how privacy helps avoid defects.
Such stories keep accumulating. Without complete information, trust is lost.
If something goes wrong, who will be responsible? This becomes difficult due to the power of the fund. But rights demand that answers come from above.
Violation of fundamental rights
The Supreme Court had given its verdict on electoral bonds last year. He had linked the right to information to article 19 – freedom of speech. Citizens should know how public funds are used. PM CARES breaks it. This is public money, for the welfare of the public. Hiding details suppresses voices and spoils democracy. Why keep help a secret? In a free country, transparency fights corruption. The courts should intervene, as they did earlier.
Whose responsibility is it
The blame starts with the board of the trust. The Prime Minister leads as Chairperson. Ministers serve as trustees in official roles. If misuse comes to light, they will have to face difficulties. It cannot be hidden by claiming to be “private” when the hands of the government are running it. The leader will have to take responsibility for the results. It’s not personal – it’s about duty. X-Officio means public service, not private sports.
Demand for judicial promptness
Petitions have been filed in the courts since 2020. Four years have passed, no decision has been taken. There was no discussion on public status or forced transparency. Delay causes harm. Elections come and go, and this black hole grows. Judges should hear cases expeditiously, just like the Bond case. Order a full report from donors to expenses. Previous details, account of each penny. Only then will we be able to find out the truth.
Now is the time to take action. Democracy is in danger.
Talks of scams remain prevalent in the election environment. But what about PM CARES? There is silence from most sides. This silence reduces trust in the system.
Calm attitude of the opposition
Opposition parties strongly attacked electoral bonds. Petitions were filed, protests took place. Yet on PM CARES they are silent. Why? Are they afraid of a counterattack, or just ignoring it? Even BJP, once an anti-corruption champion, is ignoring PMO’s demands for transparency. This lack disappoints the voters. The parties should press for a debate in Parliament. An environment should be created for change. Silence makes issues worse.
Lack of public trust
Mysteries create doubt. When leaders collect money in the name of the public but hide it, suspicion spreads. PMO’s shine fades. If there is nothing wrong, why wait for court orders? Release data now. Show information about every donor, every help. Trust is built on facts. Without them, people question every step of the way. This matters most in elections.
Wake-up call for all.
The PM CARES Fund had begun as a lifeline in the crisis. Now it is acting like a secret treasure, avoiding public-private tricks. ₹over 23,000 crore accumulated, but no complete audit revealed—it’s the same as electoral bonds but could be even bigger in impact. Key Points: Privacy promotes transactions, from contracts to overlooked mistakes. This violates the right to information and public trust. The courts should declare it public, force disclosure, and end the wait that has lasted since 2020. Don’t let it go like that. Ask for answers from the leaders. Share this post, file an RTI, join this campaign. A true democracy flourishes in the light, not in the dark. What will you do to find out the truth?
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