PM CARES Fund Financial Audits Not Made Public Since FY 2022-23

Audited financial statements for the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund have not been made public since the financial year 2022-23. The fund is chaired by the Prime Minister and managed by senior Union Ministers acting as trustees. Although the fund collects massive public and corporate donations, its financial records have not been updated on its official portal for multiple fiscal cycles.

Right to Information activists have raised concerns over the delay, pointing out that the fund operates outside the direct oversight of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. It also remains exempt from the purview of the RTI Act and direct parliamentary scrutiny. This lack of external accountability contrasts with the extensive tax benefits provided to the fund, as all contributions qualify for 100% income tax deductions and satisfy corporate social responsibility requirements.

Public interest groups are urging the government to release the pending audits to preserve public trust and ensure fiscal accountability. They argue that any institution backed by public officeholders must maintain open financial disclosures. As pressure mounts, the administration is expected to clarify the status of the delayed audits and update the public portal soon.