Donations pour into CM’s relief fund

Corporates, other organisations and the public contribute ₹36.34 crore

02/04/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

As of March 31, the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund has received contributions to the tune of ₹36.34 crore from corporates, other organisations and the public to aid the battle against COVID-19.

TVS Motor Company and Sakthi Masala have contributed ₹5 crore each; Asian Paints and Simpsons ₹2 crore each; DMK Foundation, Tamil Nadu Governor’s Office and Tamil Nadu News Print and Papers Ltd ₹1 crore each; and GRT Jewellers and DLF Foundation ₹50 lakh each, among others.

Former Union Minister M.K. Alagiri, Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham and Madras Talkies, among others, have contributed ₹10 lakh each, according to a press release.

IT major HCL will donate 500 ventilators worth ₹37.5 crore to the Tamil Nadu government to help treat those affected by COVID-19, another press release said.

Kanimozhi’s gesture

DMK MP Kanimozhi on Wednesday released ₹50 lakh from her MPLADS fund for setting up a lift in the government hospital in Thoothukudi.

“When I visited the hospital, the doctors told me that a lift was necessary for the ward for treating patients who tested positive for COVID-19. I met the district collectors and handed over the money to them,” said Ms. Kanimozhi, who was elected from the Thoothukudi Lok Sabha constituency.

She has already contributed ₹1 crore for combating the disease.

Earlier, Ms. Kanimozhi gave personal protective equipment and sanitisers to doctors, nurses and other medical staff.