Kerala floods: Donations to Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund
CHIEF MINISTER's DISTRESS RELIEF FUND (CMDRF)
The Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) in Kerala is currently fully administered over an electronic platform.
1. The fund is operated by the Government Principal Secretary (Finance) who is a senior I.A.S officer. Presently Sri. Manoj Joshi IAS is the Finance Secretary. Contributions to CMDRF is remitted to bank accounts maintained in State Bank of India, City main Branch, Trivandrum as well as pool accounts of various nationalised and scheduled banks and the funds are released only through bank transfer. The pool accounts have been created recently for the functioning of the online portal. The funds can be withdrawn only under the hand and seal of the Finance Secretary.
2. Though the fund is operated by the Finance Secretary, the CMDRF is administered by the Revenue (DRF) department in Government. This would mean that the Finance Secretary who is authorized to operate the bank account of CMDRF can not withdraw /transfer the money at his or his department's whims and fancy. This is possible only as per a Government Orders issued by Revenue Secretary.
3. The financial delegation available to each tier/ officer involved in CMDRF administration is also fixed by Government orders. Government Orders regulate the amount that can be sanctioned by the District Collector, Revenue Special Secretary, Revenue Secretary, Revenue Minister, and the Chief Minister. Over and above, it rests with the Council of Ministers.
4. Now CMDRF is fully web managed and it has become extremely transparent. Transfers to the end beneficiary is done through Direct Bank Transfer system.
5. Right To Information Act (RTI) is applicable to CMDRF and the people are entitled to get all information on it. CMDRF funds are open to audit by the Comptroller and Accountant General and the budgeting and expenditure is subject to scrutiny by the State Legislature.
Kerala floods: Donations to Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund to get 100% tax exemption.
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