NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, MARCH 29
The Army, Navy and the Indian Air Force, as well as employees of the Defence Ministry, have decided to donate one-day’s salary totalling around Rs 500 crore to the relief fund announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help fight the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
I have decided to donate my one month salary to the PM-CARES fund. You can also contribute in this fund and strengthen India’s resolve to fight against the menace of COVID-19.
I have also asked the Chairman MPLADS, to release Rs 1 crore from my MPLADS fund to this fund.
— Rajnath Singh (मोदी का परिवार) (@rajnathsingh) March 29, 2020
Separately, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that he will donate one month’s salary to the fund.
On Saturday, PM Modi announced setting up of the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES) to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi के निर्देश पर एक मंत्रिसमूह की दूसरी बैठक में कोरोना संक्रमण को काबू में करने के लिए तैयारियों पर मंत्रणा करने के साथ आवश्यक वस्तुओं की सप्लाई पर फ़ीडबैक भी साझा किया गया।बैठक में हुई चर्चा से प्रधानमंत्री को भी नियमित रूप से अवगत कराया जा रहा है। pic.twitter.com/ncw8vhEEdD
— Rajnath Singh (मोदी का परिवार) (@rajnathsingh) March 29, 2020
A number of union ministers, private entities, industrialists and government organisations have responded to the prime minister’s announcement and contributed to the fund.
So far, India has recorded a total of 979 positive cases of coronavirus and 25 deaths.
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. This link has all important details about the fund. https://t.co/enPvcqCTw2
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 28, 2020
“I have decided to donate my one month’s salary to the PM-CARES Fund. You can also contribute to this fund and strengthen India’s resolve to fight against the menace of COVID-19,” the defence minister said.
Singh said he has also asked the Chairman MPLADS (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) to release Rs 1 crore to the PM-CARES Fund.
IAF engaged in supporting availability of critical medical supplies #Covid19.
The crew is taking all necessary precautions and safety measures.#IndiaFightsCorona#IndianAirForce#LetsFightCovid19 pic.twitter.com/3vJwOZHlRZ— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 29, 2020
A defence ministry spokesperson said Singh has approved a proposal for contribution of one-day’s salary by employees of the ministry to the Fund.
“It is estimated that around Rs 500 crore will be collectively provided by the Defence Ministry to the Fund from various wings, including Army, Navy, Air Force, Defence PSUs and others,” he said.
The employees’ contribution is voluntary and those desirous of opting out will be exempted.
