Emergency Relief Fund & Mann Ki Baat 2.0
With the spread of deadly Coronavirus in India, the Modi government has taken some serious measures to break the chain of deadly coronavirus. To counter this, Modi Ji on March 27 announced the setting up of prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance in Relief & Emergency Relief Funds (PM-CARES). PM Modi tweeted: “People from all walks of life expressed their desire to donate to India’s war against COVID-19. Respecting that spirit, the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund has been constituted. This will go a long way in creating a healthier India.” He further tweeted: “The PM-CARES Fund accepts micro-donations too. It will strengthen disaster management capacities and encourage research on protecting citizens. Let us leave no stone unturned to make India healthier and more prosperous for our future generations”.
To strengthen the fight against Coronavirus, PIB released a circular stating: “The Prime Minister’s office has been receiving spontaneous and innumerable requests for making generous donations to support the government in the wake of this emergency. Keeping in mind, the need for having a dedicated national fund with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation, like posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and to provide relief to the affected, a public charitable trust under the name of Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund’ (PM CARES Fund)’ has been set up. Prime Minister is the Chairman of this trust and its Members include Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister”
On March 29 PM Modi appealed to the general public through 10th episode of Mann Ki Baat. He cautioned the public from the scourge of deadly coronavirus. He said, “The Lockdown will keep the people as well as their families safe and those who are not following the rule of isolation will be in trouble”.
PIB release from Prime Minister’s Office stated: “Quoting an adage “Evam Evam Vikar, api tarunha Saadhyate Sukham” meaning, “an illness and its scourge should be nipped in the bud itself,” he stressed later on, when it becomes incurable, treatment is very difficult. He said the Coronavirus has incarcerated the world. PM said, “It is posing a challenge to Knowledge, science, the rich and the poor, the strong and the weak alike. It is not confined to any nation’s borders, nor does it make distinction of region or season.”
According to the latest news reports, from Bollywood stars to business tycoons have been donating to the PM’s relief funds. Akshay Kumar has donated Rs. 25 crores, cricketer Suresh Raina donated Rs. 31 lakhs; singer Guru Randhawa has donated Rs. 20 lakhs, T-series Bhushan Kumar has pledged Rs. 11 crores, Murad Khetani who was producer of Kabir Singh has pledged Rs. 25 lakhs.
TATA group has also donated an amount of Rs. 1500 crores. Out of this fund, the Tata Trust has donated Rs. 500 crores & other Rs. 1000 crores were donated by Tata Sons. The TATA TRUSTS added that these funds will be utilized for: “Personal Protective Equipments for the medical personnel on the frontlines”, “respiratory systems for treating increasing cases”, “testing kits to increase per capita testing”, “setting up modular treatment facilities for infected patients” “knowledge management & health training of workers & the general public”.
Moreover the Ministry of Corporate Affairs stated that companies can donated their CSR funds to the PM-CARES. MCA circular also stated the rule that according to Schedule 7 of the Companies Act, 2013 if any company contributes their fund to the Prime Minister Relief Fund then their fund will be acknowledged as the CSR fund. CSR means corporate social responsibility fund.
Whole nation has acknowledged the fight against coronavirus. Every single effort of the Indians will count as a great effort towards this battle.
By
Harsh Vardhan Gupta
Student Reporter, INBA