Context:
PM CARES Funds received Rs 912 crores in 2022-23, as per the latest audited accounts.
PM CARES Fund (Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund):
- Established in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Aimed at combating, containing, and providing relief for the coronavirus outbreak and similar future emergencies.
- Registered as a Public Charitable Trust.
- Objectives –
- Provide assistance and relief during calamities, disasters, public health emergencies, or any other natural or man-made emergencies.
- Support the creation and upgradation of pharmaceutical facilities, fund research, and develop necessary infrastructure and healthcare support.
- Composition of the Trust –
- Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairman.
- Minister of Defence, Minister of Home Affairs, and Minister of Finance are ex-officio Trustees.
- The Prime Minister can nominate three additional Trustees to the Board of Trustees.
- Other features –
- Funded entirely by voluntary contributions from individuals and organizations.
- No budgetary support from the government.
- Contributions can come from individuals, companies, charitable institutions, associations, etc.
- Not subject to Right to Information (RTI) scrutiny.
- Donations qualify for 100% tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
- Donations count as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure under the Companies Act, 2013.
- Exempt from the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), allowing acceptance of foreign donations.
Source: IE
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. The Executive Power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime Minister.
2. The Prime Minister is the ex officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2015 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Both the statements are incorrect. The Executive Power of the Union of India is vested in the President. All executive actions of the Government of India are formally taken in his name. The Cabinet Secretary is the ex officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.