Last year the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund started after the pandemic hit the State saw many people contributing generously towards it with the hope that the money would be utilised to help those who are impacted the most from the lockdown. In a similar manner the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) was created on 27 March 2020, following the outbreak of Covid 19 in India. The purpose of the Fund is for combating and containing the pandemic and future pandemics. Interestingly, the documentation for the constitution of the fund was not made public. Government of India announced that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is chairman of the fund, and the trustees include Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman
The total amount of funds donated and the names of donors have not been made public and the Fund is privately audited. Government of India initially claimed that the Fund is private. It refuted allegations that the PM CARES Fund is a public fund subject to transparency laws such as the Right to Information Act 2005 even when government infrastructure and the national emblem are being used. The PM CARES Fund has faced strident criticism for its lack of transparency and accountability. It was only in December 2020, the Government of India reversed its stance and admitted that the PM CARES Fund was a public fund, but it continued to adopt a defensive stance as far as disclosing information under the Right to Information is concerned.
Meghalaya is now passing through very tough times and a substantial number of people working in the informal sector namely daily wagers, small vendors, taxi drivers, labourers, who are temporarily without jobs are struggling to survive. While individuals and groups are trying to reach out to the needy with rations etc., people may have other needs too that have to be met. And nothing can substitute for cash. Individuals, organizations and institutions that wish to contribute are unsure whether their money or materials will reach the most deserving. The CM’s Relief Fund saw many donors coming forward to generously donate last year. But there is also no information on how that Fund is being managed; how much money it has at present; whether it is still receiving donations; what amount has gone to help those in distress and whether the CM’s Relief Fund has been publicly audited.
Perhaps the CM’s Office could co-opt some civil society members as Fund Managers in the interest of transparency. Those who manage these Funds would have to put in place a system which captures a proper database of the needy and deserving in each constituency Institutions like IIM Shillong and NEHU, Economics Department could be enlisted to help devise a system where the needy can access the Funds seamlessly.