Larger contributions sought for PM's National Relief Fund

Seeking larger contributions for the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, the PMO has asked all central ministries to display the message on their websites and inform the common man that such donations enjoy tax benefits.
In its August 20 circular to all Union Ministries, the PMO has directed that a caption mentioning that all such donations made to the fund enjoy 100 per cent deduction from taxable income under Section 80 (G) of the tax law should be displayed on the home pages.
While all contributions towards the PMNRF are already exempted from Income Tax under Section 80(G) of the Income Tax Act, the message on government websites will help increase contributions.

According to Section 80 (G), the deduction to certain funds and charitable institutions is allowed to any taxpayer, on the qualifying amount that is limited to 10 per cent of gross total income of the assessee reduced by income deducted under any section.
Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed that the Gujarat model should be emulated in selection of beneficiaries, giving priority to the poor and children while granting aid from the PMNRF.
Referring to the Gujarat model, he had 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.

Cases involving life-threatening diseases should be accorded priority and applications should be decided on need and merit, the Prime Minister added.

It was decided that a letter from the Prime Minister should be sent to all beneficiaries.
The PM National Relief Fund was established in 1948 with public contributions to assist displaced persons from Pakistan.
The resources of the PMNRF are now utilised primarily to render immediate relief to families of those killed in natural calamities like floods, cyclones and earthquakes and to the victims of major accidents and riots.
Assistance from PMNRF is also rendered for medical treatment like heart surgeries, kidney transplantation and cancer treatment.

The PMNRF fund consists entirely of public contributions and does not get any budgetary support.