RTI Act not applicable for PM CARES Fund: does not receive funds or finances from the Government

NEW DELHI: The central government reiterated that the PM CARES fund cannot be included under the Right to Information Act. The Prime Minister's Office informed the Delhi high court through an affidavit that the fund has no direct link with the central government. The affidavit also states that the fund is not under the direct or indirect control of the central and state governments.

A petition was filed in the court demanding that the PM CARES fund be declared a part of the government according to article 12 of the constitution. The Prime Minister's office was responding to this. PM CARES fund is a public charitable fund initiative. No guidelines can be drawn up as to how the donations received should be utilized. But there is an explanation about the donations coming to the fund and the assistance given published on the PM Cares website.

The Fund does not operate based on parliament or legislature. The court has also been told that no funds are given from the public exchequer and hence it does not come under the purview of the Right to Information Act. The PMO also claimed that the audit of the fund was being published regularly.