NEW DELHI: Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge has criticised the management of the PM CARES Fund, alleging that the Centre has failed to adequately utilise money collected for emergency relief.
In a post on social media x, Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of betraying public trust and questioned the need to collect contributions from domestic and overseas donors if the funds were not being utilised during emergencies.
Kharge referred to the 2024-25 audit statement of the PM CARES Fund and claimed that around ₹8,452 crore was available, while only 0.01% had been utilised.
He also raised questions over an entry showing ₹324 crore returned by implementing agencies, seeking clarity on which agencies were involved and why the money was refunded.
Kharge further questioned the absence of accompanying notes to the financial statements, arguing that greater transparency was needed regarding the fund’s transactions and utilisation.
PM CARES is one of the biggest institutional scams and betrayals of public trust by PM Modi.
Why is the Modi government collecting money from both domestic and foreign contributors in the name of emergency relief, when it has no intention of spending it when it matters?
The… pic.twitter.com/01LHZZyJJy
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) August 19, 2026
The PM CARES Fund was established in March 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic to support emergency and relief measures.
Kharge pointed to the various crises India has faced since then, including the pandemic, cyclones and floods in states such as Kerala and Himachal Pradesh, as well as drought-related distress.
He argued that money collected specifically for emergency relief should be available to assist people during such crises.
The remarks have added to the political debate over the transparency, financial management and utilisation of the PM CARES Fund, with Kharge seeking greater clarity on its accounts and expenditure.