PM announces relief fund

New Delhi, March 28

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the creation of an assistance and emergency situation relief fund where people can contribute and help in the government’s fight against Covid. The Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund will go a long way in creating a healthier India, he said on Twitter.

“People from all walks of life expressed their desire to donate to India’s war against Covid-19,” he said, adding the fund had been constituted respecting that spirit. “It is my appeal to my fellow Indians, kindly contribute to the PM-CARES Fund. This fund will also cater to similar distressing situations, if they occur in the times ahead,” he said.

A statement posted on his official website said while the PM is the chairman of the new public charitable trust, its members include the Defence Minister (Rajnath Singh), Home Minister (Amit Shah) and the Finance Minister (Nirmala Sitaraman).

In India, like the rest of the world, the spread of Covid has been alarming and is posing severe health and economic ramifications for our country, it said. The Prime Minister’s Office has been receiving spontaneous and innumerable requests for donations to support the government in the wake of this emergency. “Distress situations, whether natural or otherwise, demand expeditious and collective action for alleviating the suffering of those affected, mitigation/control of damage to infrastructure and capacities, etc.,” the statement read, adding, “PM Narendra Modi has always believed and shown in actions that public participation is the most effective way to mitigate any issue and this is yet another example. This fund will enable micro-donations as a result of which a large number of people will be able to contribute with smallest of denominations,” the statement said.

People can visit www.pmindia.gov.in to make contributions using credit and debit cards, UPI, net banking and RTGS or NEFT, it said. — PTI

Trust members

PM, Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister. Visit www.pmindia.gov.in to make contribution.

Justice NV Ramana contributes Rs 3 lakh

Justice NV Ramana, the seniormost SC judge after Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, on Saturday donated Rs 1 lakh each for the PM Relief Fund, Andhra Pradesh CM Relief Fund and T’gana CM Relief Fund. PTI

Akshay to give Rs 25 cr

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar said that he would donate Rs 25 crore towards PM-CARES fund

Tatas pledge Rs 500 cr

Tata Trusts on Saturday pledged Rs 500 crore for prevention and relief operations.

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