PM CARES Fund Parliamentary Scrutiny Faces Official Hurdle
The Prime Minister's Office has formally communicated to the Lok Sabha Secretariat that parliamentary questions concerning the PM CARES Fund, along with the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund and the National Defence Fund, are not admissible under existing Rules of Procedure. This development places the controversial fund, established during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, further beyond direct parliamentary oversight.
The PMO's stance asserts that Members of Parliament cannot raise matters that do not primarily concern the Government of India or relate to bodies not directly accountable to it. However, the communication leaves a narrow window open, indicating that admissibility might be examined under relevant rules if such issues are raised during parliamentary forums like Zero Hour or through Special Mentions.
Institutional Contributions to the Fund Revealed
This parliamentary restriction comes against the backdrop of significant institutional financial support for the PM CARES Fund. Previous Right to Information disclosures revealed that beyond receiving over Rs 2,400 crore through Corporate Social Responsibility contributions, more than 100 public sector undertakings collectively donated nearly Rs 155 crore from employees' salaries to the fund. These substantial contributions highlight the extensive institutional backing the fund has received since its inception.
Central Government Introduces Performance Scorecards for Secretaries
In a parallel governance development, central government secretaries will now receive comprehensive "administrative scorecards" evaluating both individual and departmental performance. These scorecards employ a detailed marking system covering parameters ranging from file disposal efficiency and departmental outputs to scheme expenditure and capital spending effectiveness.
The evaluation framework includes twelve negative indicators designed to identify areas requiring improvement. According to communications from the Cabinet Secretary, these scorecards aim to benchmark departmental performance against both historical records and comparative achievements across government ministries. This initiative represents a continuation of governance enhancement efforts following earlier platforms like PRAGATI, the Prime Minister's real-time review mechanism for project tracking and grievance resolution.
Bangladesh Elections Proceed Amid Political Imbalance
Bangladesh's political landscape presents an unexpectedly one-sided configuration as the nation approaches crucial elections. With approximately 12.7 crore registered voters—6.4 crore men and 6.2 crore women—the absence of the Awami League from the electoral contest has transformed the political dynamic into what appears to be a largely unipolar competition dominated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
Compounding the political significance, Bangladesh is conducting national elections simultaneously with a referendum on sweeping constitutional reforms. This dual process, occurring within a context of limited political competition, marks a potentially transformative moment in the country's democratic evolution, with implications for both governance structures and political representation.
Manipur Political Settlement Negotiations Advance
With Yumnam Khemchand Singh assuming the role of Manipur's new Chief Minister and the Bharatiya Janata Party returning to power in the state, long-standing negotiations with the Kuki-Zo community appear to be progressing toward resolution. Sources indicate that discussions between the central government and Kuki-Zo representatives have reached an advanced stage, with a proposed settlement framework reportedly modeled on the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority agreement.
The anticipated arrangement is expected to grant enhanced administrative, legislative, and financial autonomy to hill districts under Article 371C provisions, while stopping short of meeting demands for separate Union Territory status. If successfully finalized, this agreement could represent a significant step toward stabilizing Manipur after months of ethnic tensions between Meitei and Kuki communities, potentially shifting the dynamic from confrontation toward negotiated accommodation.
Corporate Sector Prepares for Labour Code Implementation
The impending implementation of new labour codes is beginning to manifest in corporate financial planning. India's largest corporations have collectively allocated over Rs 13,000 crore during the October–December 2025 quarter to accommodate the anticipated impact of these regulatory reforms. Data compiled from 41 Nifty 50 companies that have disclosed financial results reveals provisions totaling Rs 13,307 crore for the first nine months of the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Social Media Regulation Debate Intensifies
The tragic deaths of three minors in Ghaziabad, reportedly connected to online gaming activities, have reignited discussions about social media regulation in India. As countries including Australia implement social media bans for children under 16, with France preparing similar measures, questions emerge about whether India should adopt comparable restrictions.
Critics argue that technology platforms often prioritize addictive engagement mechanisms over young users' wellbeing, while opponents of blanket bans caution that such measures might prove impractical in a nation where digital access increasingly correlates with educational opportunities and economic advancement. This ongoing debate highlights the complex balance between protection and access in India's digital landscape.
Cultural Reflections on Identity and Creativity
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri recently explored themes of linguistic identity and cultural belonging during The Indian Express Idea Exchange. Reflecting on the experience of navigating multiple languages and cultures, Lahiri emphasized how the languages we speak subtly shape our identities and perspectives.
In an era increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, Lahiri underscored the irreplaceable nature of human creativity in artistic and literary expression. She maintained that every sentence and narrative carries a distinctive imprint of the writer's consciousness—a quality that technological replication cannot authentically capture.
