Coronavirus: Tamil Nadu govt seeks public donation to combat Covid-19

Mar 27, 2020, 05.01 PM IST

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Friday requested the public, companies, non-government organisations and donors to contribute to the chief minister’s public relief fund to combat Covid-19. All such contributions are entitled to 100% income tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

“At this stage, it is not encouraged to present the contributions in person or government officials. However, names of donors/companies who contribute more than Rs 10 lakh will be published in newspapers. Receipts will be sent for all contributions,” an official release said, detailing the requirement of financial resources to handle the cases expected in huge numbers.

The release said hospitals with isolation wards and quarantine centres would have to be set up, and beds, ventilators, medicines, testing equipment and disinfectants would have to provided. There is also a need to prepare the private hospitals to offer free treatment to the patients. Agriculture, construction and workers of several unorganised sectors are losing their daily wage, and there is a need to offer food to poor and destitute.

The contributions received from non-resident Indians or foreigners are exempted under Section 50 of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, the release said.

Contributions can be made by internet banking/debit/credit card and get receipts from https://ereceipt.tn.gov.in/cmprf/cmprf.html. It can also be done directly to the designated savings bank account of public relief fund to Indian Overseas Bank, Secretariat Branch, Chennai 600 009, Tamil Nadu India. The SB account number is 117201000000070 and IFS code - IOBA0001172 and CMPRF PAN – AAAGC0038F.

Contributors, who remit the amount online, should provide details like name, amount, bank and branch, date of remittance, transaction reference number, address for communication and email address for official receipt to avail IT exemption.

Foreigners can avail swift code – IOBAINBB001 Indian Overseas Bank, Central Office, Chennai.

Contributions can also be made by cheque/demand draft drawn in favour of ‘Chief minister’s public relief fund’ and addressed to the deputy secretary and treasurer, CM’s public relief fund, finance department, government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai – 600 009, Tamil Nadu, India. E-mail dspaycell.findpt@tn.gov.in.