Centre opposes in HC plea on declaration of PM CARES funds
PTI, Jun 2, 2020, 1:12 PM IST
Mumbai: The Centre on Tuesday opposed and sought dismissal of a petition seeking a declaration of funds received by the Prime Ministers Citizens Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation (PM CARES), a public charitable trust created by the government amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh told the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court that the petition filed by advocate Arvind Waghmare should be dismissed.
A similar petition against setting up of the PM CARES fund was dismissed by the Supreme Court in April, he informed a division bench of Justices S B Shukre and A S Kilor. The bench, however, noted that the petition before it was seeking different reliefs, and directed the Union government to file an affidavit in response to the plea within two weeks.
“File an affidavit stating whatever is your (Union government’s) stand,” the court said. Waghmare in his petition sought a direction to the government to declare funds received and expenditure of the same on the government’s website periodically.
As per the plea, thePMCAREStrust, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its chairperson and ministers from departments of Defence, Home and Finance as its members, was created with the prime objective of dealing with the emergency or distress caused by the coronavirus. The trust was created in order to have financial assistance from people in the country and also from overseas to provide relief and assistance to those affected by COVID-19 pandemic, it said.
“As per the guidelines of thePMCARESFund, apart from the chairperson and three other trustees, the chairperson
had to appoint or nominate three more trustees. However, from the formation of the trust on March 28, 2020, till date no appointment has been made,” the petition claimed.
The petition has sought a direction to the government and the trust to appoint or nominate at least two members from opposition parties to have proper checks and transparency.
“In order to fortify and strengthen the general public faith and confidence, it is necessary to issue a direction to the government to declare the funds collected by PM CARES trust till date, and how the same has been used for the benefits of citizens affected by the coronavirus,” the plea said.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Congress to discuss candidates for Amethi, Raebareli seats on Saturday
Cache of arms including foreign-made revolvers seized by CBI in Sandeshkhali raids
24 Indian Fishermen Released from Sri Lankan Detention, Repatriated to India
SC verdict on EVM tight slap to Congress-led opposition: PM Modi in Bihar rallies
Board exams twice a year from 2025: MoE asks CBSE to work out logistics, no plan for semesters
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Patanjali Foods to evaluate proposal to buy Patanjali Ayurved’s non-food business
Congress to discuss candidates for Amethi, Raebareli seats on Saturday
BJP’s CT Ravi Booked for Promoting Hatred and Enmity Through Social Media Post
Elections held in 14 LS segments in Karnataka, voter turnout nearly 64 per cent till 5 pm
‘PM is scared, may even shed tears on stage’: Rahul Gandhi’s fresh salvo at Modi