PMO directive on PM CARES: What questions can Lok Sabha ask?, Pg16

Key Highlights:

• The PMO has instructed the Lok Sabha Secretariat that questions about the PM CARES Fund, PMNRF, and NDF are inadmissible.
• The PMO argues these funds consist of voluntary public contributions, not allocations from the Consolidated Fund of India.
• Rule 41 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha guides the admissibility of questions.
• The final decision on question admissibility rests with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• The NDF is under the ambit of the Right to Information Act, 2005, while the status of PM CARES and PMNRF is pending in the Delhi High Court.

Detailed Insights:

• The Lok Sabha Secretariat, guided by its rulebook, initially assesses questions for admissibility, with the Speaker holding the ultimate authority.
• Rule 41(2)(viii) and 41(2)(xvii) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha are cited by the PMO to justify inadmissibility, stating the questions should primarily concern the Government of India.
• PM CARES was created as a public charitable trust for national emergencies like Covid-19, while PMNRF, established in 1948, aids families affected by natural calamities, accidents, and riots.
• The NDF supports the welfare of armed forces members and their families and is managed by an executive committee chaired by the Prime Minister.
• Once a question is deemed admissible, the concerned ministry has 15 days to respond, and the Lok Sabha Secretariat publishes data on questions received and answered.
• It is unusual for a government body to preemptively instruct the Secretariat not to admit questions, as admissibility decisions are typically made on the merits of each individual question.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Consolidated Fund of India: The government's main account, holding revenues and expenditures.
• Right to Information Act, 2005: Legislation providing citizens access to government-held information.
• Lok Sabha Secretariat: Provides support and administrative services to the Lok Sabha.