The Apex Court of India has refused to direct the Centre to transfer the

funds of PM CARES to NDRF citing that the funds collected under the PM
Cares Fund are those of charitable trusts and "entirely different". The
court stated that the Central Government is free to transfer the amount if
it feels it is appropriate to do so. 

The court further stated that there’s no need for a new plan to deal with
the unprecedented pandemic. The verdict is given by a three-judge bench
via video conferencing-- Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice R Subhash Reddy
and Justice MR Shah. 

The decision came after an NGO filed a PIL to direct the transfer of
contributions made to the PM CARES (Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance
and Relief in Emergency Situations) Fund for the pandemic to the NDRF
(National Disaster Response Fund). The PIL further mentioned that the PM
CARES fund violates the provisions of the Disaster Management Act. 

Know why PM CARES Fund does not come under the purview of
RTI?
Timeline of the events
1-In April 2020, SC rejected a PIL was filed by Manohar Lal Sharma,
questioning the legal validity of PM CARES Fund.

2-On May 14, 2020, the Bombay HC sought a response from the Central
Government in response to a petition seeking the funds received under
PM CARES Fund and asking the government to publish details of funds
received and spent on the official website of PM CARES Fund.

3-On May 22, 2020. a Bengaluru based lawyer, Praveen Kumar, filed a
complaint against Congress President Sonia Gandhi amongst others
questioning the accountability and transparency of the funds.
4-On June 3, 2020, the Bombay HC issued a notice to the Government of
India in connection with a PIL to make details of the PM CARES Fund
public.

5-On June 4, 2020, the Delhi HC heard a PIL seeking to bring

transparency to the PM CARES Fund by validating RTI Act to it.

6-Samyak Gangwal filed a PIL challenging the order of the Prime

Minister's Office refusing to disclose information about the establishment
and governance of the Fund under the Right to Information Act 2005. On
June 10, 2020, the Delhi HC heard the petition.