Tamil Nadu CM Starts Fund Collection For In-State Covid-19 Recovery

Last updated on May 13th, 2021 at 05:12 am

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is seeking help from the public for starting a fundraiser towards the Covid-19 pandemic relief fund. The CM led fund is seeking contributions from corporate, charity institutions and individuals who can pay towards the fund.

The state has recorded over 1.5 million cases of which one third are on oxygen support already.

In his public appeal he admitted that, “The current wave has placed immense stress on the State’s health infrastructure and our people. My government has marshalled all its resources in combating this unprecedented challenge, to protect the lives and livelihood of the people.”

While the opposition has been pushing the centre for a countrywide lockdown, this has not kicked in as of now. However, the state of Tamil Nadu has voluntarily decided to go into a lockdown, in order to break the transmission cycle of the Covid-19 virus.

The lockdown comes with its own hiccups and major blow to the recovering economy. But looking at the criticality of cases rising in the state, it decided to do so. The state’s medical services are stretched to the maximum and are in need of additional resources to combat the second wave.

With a spiritually inclined public sentiment, Mr. Stalin has further said that “Crises always bring out the best in humanity. It is the time for all of us to stand together and win this war. In this background, I make this personal appeal to all of you to contribute generously to the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund. I assure you that your contributions at this crucial juncture will be exclusively used for Covid -19 mitigation measures like oxygen generation and storage facilities, setting up of beds with oxygen, procurement of oxygen concentrators, RTPCR kits, other lifesaving drugs, vaccines, and other equipment.”

Contributions Rs. 10 lakh and above would receive a mention in the media and would be largely applauded, with an official receipt being sent to the beneficiaries. The CM has guaranteed complete transparency in collection of funds and its dissemination.

The details of donations received and expenditure incurred would be displayed through a website accessible to all. Such contributions will be entitled to 100% Tax exemption under Section 80 (G) of the Income Tax Act. Foreign contributions by NRIs or Foreign entities to this Fund (CMPRF) are exempted under section 50 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.