Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a formidable critique of the Congress Party’s management of the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund during the UPA era, highlighting concerns of accountability and transparency while addressing the Rajya Sabha regarding amendments to the Disaster Management Bill.
Shah dismissed opposition accusations regarding the current PM-Cares Fund’s management, asserting its transparency and accountability as he contrasted it with the previous government’s fund handling. He remarked, “It has become a culture to make accusations and then run away. But this is Parliament, not a street. If you level allegations, you will have to listen to the response.”
During his address, Shah stated that the PM-Cares Fund is overseen by a board of five senior ministers, including the Finance and Defence Ministers, emphasizing the absence of any political party president in its management, unlike the mechanisms established under the UPA administration.
“People will decide who has more accountability,” he asserted, challenging the Congress to account for its previous fund management practices, asserting that the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund lacked the necessary transparency.
Shah further defended the proposed amendments to the Disaster Management Act, articulating the need for laws to adapt with time to incorporate new experiences and best practices. “If a building is not repaired over time, it will eventually collapse… why should anyone object to including these practices in our laws?” he questioned.
The discussion surrounding the Disaster Management Bill intensified when Shah responded to objections from a Trinamool Congress MP regarding exclusion of law and order situations like riots from the bill. “What is the relation between disaster management and riots? Is it because there are a lot of riots in their state?” he retorted, leading to protests from the Trinamool members. As Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar did not allow further discussion, TMC MPs exited the House while Shah continued his response.
The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, which was previously passed in the Lok Sabha in December 2024, received clearance by voice vote in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, with several proposed amendments from the opposition being rejected by the Upper House.
