Congress Slams Government Over PMO's Lok Sabha Directive on Funds
The Congress party has launched a sharp critique against the government, accusing it of interfering with the legislative process. This follows a report that the Prime Minister's Office issued a directive to the Lok Sabha Secretariat, stating that questions related to three key funds are not permissible under parliamentary rules.
PMO's Letter Sparks Political Controversy
According to a report published on February 9, the PMO sent a letter dated January 30 to the Lok Sabha Secretariat. The communication indicated that questions and matters concerning the PM CARES Fund, the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF), and the National Defence Fund (NDF) fall outside the scope of permissible parliamentary inquiry under specific rules of procedure.
Congress MP and party general secretary K C Venugopal expressed grave concerns about this development. He stated that it is "deeply concerning" how the PMO appears to be "dictating the business" of the Lok Sabha. Venugopal emphasized that the legislature "should operate independently so that the government is held accountable by the people's representatives."
Congress Demands Prime Minister's Accountability
Venugopal further demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally address these matters on the floor of the House. He called for scrutiny regarding "the massive funds collected through the mysterious PM CARES fund," highlighting the party's insistence on transparency and governmental accountability.
Congress leaders took to social media to amplify their criticism. Congress media and publicity department chairman Pawan Khera posted that "Democracy's oxygen saturation levels are falling rapidly." Meanwhile, Congress chairperson for social media Supriya Shrinate described it as "unbelievable" that even Parliament cannot question how substantial public funds are being allocated and spent.
BJP Counters with UPA-Era Precedent
In response to the Congress allegations, a senior BJP leader, who chose to remain anonymous, pointed to historical precedent during the United Progressive Alliance regime. The leader noted that the PMO under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had similarly rejected Right to Information petitions seeking details about donors and beneficiaries of the PMNRF between 2009 and 2011.
The BJP leader explained that the UPA-era PMO refused these petitions on grounds that sharing such information would threaten the privacy of donors and beneficiaries. This argument was reportedly upheld by both the Central Information Commission and the Delhi High Court, establishing a legal precedent for maintaining confidentiality regarding certain fund details.
Background on the Funds in Question
The PM CARES Fund was established as a Public Charitable Trust, with its trust deed registered under the Registration Act of 1908 in New Delhi on March 27, 2020. This fund, along with the longer-standing PMNRF and NDF, has become central to the current political debate about governmental transparency and parliamentary oversight.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between the executive and legislative branches regarding accountability mechanisms. While the Congress emphasizes the need for parliamentary scrutiny of government-administered funds, the BJP points to continuity in how such funds have been managed across different administrations, particularly concerning privacy protections for contributors.
This exchange between India's major political parties underscores broader discussions about democratic norms, governmental transparency, and the proper balance between executive discretion and legislative oversight in the management of public and charitable funds.
