What happened: audited disclosure gap after FY 2022-23
Activists raised transparency concerns that the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund has not publicly released audited financial statements after FY 2022-23. The PM CARES Fund is chaired by the Prime Minister and was established in March 2020 to support relief during public health emergencies and other disasters, funded through voluntary contributions.
The audited financial statements publicly referenced for FY 2022-23 in the discussion cover the financial position up to March 31, 2023. The audited statements include opening balance, voluntary contributions, total receipts, payments, and closing balance as of March 31, 2023.
After FY 2022-23, activists describe the absence of subsequent publicly available audited disclosures as “deeply concerning”. Activists argue that PM CARES should face public scrutiny because the fund is connected to Union government-level governance through its trusteeship structure.
Background and earlier position: PM CARES trusteeship, RTI, and audit oversight
An RTI activist and a former information commissioner are cited in the discussion. Their stated legal view is that matters associated with the Prime Minister and the trusteeship should fall within the scope of the Right to Information Act, except for matters connected to national security.