Since its launch in March 2020, the PM Cares Fund has been the subject of a polarising debate in India. While the Narendra Modi government claims that the fund is an effective tool to provide Covid relief, its critics argue that it is not very transparent. There are also other problems such as suspect donation and spending patterns. As of October, limited information is publicly available about the fund and how it is run. Red flags are aplenty.<br /><br />In this video, Meghnad S explains what the PM Cares Fund is all about, why it's controversial, and why there is an urgent need to make it more transparent. <br /><br />REFERENCES:<br />- A black hole called PM Cares fund: https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/04/02/a-black-hole-called-pm-cares-fund<br />- PM CARES Received At Least $1.27 Bn In Donations–Enough To Fund Over 21.5 Mn COVID-19 Tests: https://www.indiaspend.com/pm-cares-received-at-least-1-27-bn-in-donations-enough-to-fund-over-21-5-mn-covid-19-tests/<br />- Indian companies are contributing lavishly to PM-CARES – even amid layoffs and pay cuts: https://scroll.in/article/961383/indian-companies-are-contributing-lavishly-to-pm-cares-even-amid-layoffs-and-pay-cuts<br />- From RBI & govt banks to LIC, Rs 205 crore to PM Cares from salaries: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/from-rbi-govt-banks-to-lic-rs-205-crore-to-pm-cares-from-salaries-6618506/<br />------------<br /><br />Sign up for our all-new media newsletter: https://bit.ly/StopPressNewsletter<br /><br />Support independent media and subscribe to Newslaundry: http://bit.ly/paytokeepnewsfree<br /><br />To watch this and many more videos, click on http://www.newslaundry.com/<br /><br />Follow and engage with us on social media:<br />Facebook: https://facebook.com/newslaundry<br />Twitter: https://twitter.com/newslaundry<br />Instagram: https://instagram.com/newslaundry
