Modi reviews functioning of PM's National Relief Fund

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday reviewed the functioning of the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) at a meeting here, officials said.

"(The) PM (prime minister) chaired a meeting to review the functioning of the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. The PM suggested several qualitative changes in the way the fund is managed," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) tweeted.

A PMO statement said Modi referred to the Gujarat model, and directed that the selection of beneficiaries should be done in a more comprehensive, scientific and humanitarian basis, giving priority to children, poor, and cases from government hospitals.

"Life-threatening diseases should be accorded priority, and cases should be decided on need and merit," the prime minister said.

Modi also directed that pendency in appeals for help should be minimised.

The draw to select the cases should be conducted in a manner that does not leave out any genuine case," Modi said, according to the statement.

It was decided that a letter from the prime minister should be sent to all beneficiaries and those whose appeals have been approved for grant of relief, will be informed through an SMS alert.

Modi also reviewed the functioning of the other prime minister's funds, like the discretionary fund, the National Defence Fund, the fund for student's aid, and the fund for folk art.

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Nripendra Misra, Additional Principal Secretary P.K. Mishra, and other senior officials attended the meeting.

The PMNRF is used for various schemes announced by the prime minister and also for relief during emergencies like floods and drought and other such incidents.