Relief funds diversion: CIC asks PMO to take action

The CIC’s observations follow an inquiry by the PMO which revealed that the PMNRF did not receive all funds collected through contributions from employees of Coal India Limited (CIL), and there was a shortfall of crores of rupees between actual collection and what was finally deposited. The inquiry was ordered by the CIC on the application of Muzibur Rehman, who had raised suspicions that CIL employees’ contribution were actually not deposited.

On August 6, the Commission had asked the Director, PMO, to probe the allegations. Subsequently, on September 14, the Director, PMO, submitted a detailed inquiry report mentioning that funds meant for PMNRF and NDF have not been forwarded in time and part of collections made at the time of Kargil War for NDF have been transmitted as late as August 27 after initiation of the probe. Contributions in excess of Rs 7 crore meant for Jammu-Kashmir was never deposited in the PMNRF, whereas CIL deposited excess funds, amounting to Rs 1,55,51,687.62, which was more than the actual collection in case of the Gujarat earthquake.