Topics Covered: Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
PM CARES:
Context:
The PM CARES Fund has approved allocation of funds for setting up 551 Pressure Swing Adsorption medical oxygen generation plants at public health facilities across the country.
- The Fund had earlier this year allocated ₹201.58 crores for the installation of 162 such plants.
What is Pressure swing adsorption (PSA)?
- It is a technology used to separate some gas species from a mixture of gases under pressure according to the species’ molecular characteristics and affinity for an adsorbent material.
- It operates at near-ambient temperatures and differs significantly from cryogenic distillation techniques of gas separation.
- Specific adsorbent materials (e.g., zeolites, activated carbon, molecular sieves, etc.) are used as a trap, preferentially adsorbing the target gas species at high pressure.
- The process then swings to low pressure to desorb the adsorbed material.
About PM-CARES:
The Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund was set up to accept donations and provide relief during the Covid-19 pandemic, and other similar emergencies.
PM-CARES Fund:
- PM-CARES was set up as a public charitable trust with the trust deed registered on March 27, 2020.
- It can avail donations from the foreign contribution and donations to fund can also avail 100% tax exemption.
- PM-CARES is different from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Who administers the fund?
Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of the PM CARES Fund and Minister of Defence, Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Finance, Government of India are ex-officio Trustees of the Fund.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- What is a public account?
- Who administers PM CARES fund?
- Which organisations are exempted from the ambit of RTI act?
- What is Consolidated fund of India?
- What is a charitable trust?
- About NDRF.
Mains Link:
Discuss why PM CARES fund should be brought within the ambit of RTI act?
Sources: the Hindu.