Tripura CM's Relief Fund receives Rs 18. 47 crores to fight COVID pandemic

A CORRESPONDENT

AGARTALA: The Tripura government's appeal to donate generously in the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to fight the coronavirus menace has evoked huge response as nearly Rs 19 crore has been deposited since the declaration of lockdown on March 25.

According to reports, a total Rs 18.47 crore has been deposited in the Chief Minister's Relief Fund till May 27 and few more cheques and drafts have arrived which is yet to be deposited. So it can be expected that the total amount has already crossed Rs 19 crore.

Tripura Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath said it became possible because a large number of people responded to the Chief Minister's call and came forward to donate their hard-earned money for the greater cause of the society which indicates a positive change in the mindset of the people of this State.

"A total of 2,632 persons donated money to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund online while another 2,880 people donated through cheque of draft," he said.

He said Tripura is the only State which bears all the expenses of the migrant workers to and from the State. "Tripura paid all expenses for bringing our people back and also sending the people of other States who got stranded in Tripura, he said adding that Telangana is the only exception who did not take any money for sending people.

Out of the total receipt, the State government has already spent Rs 13 crore 14 lakh, a major part of which has gone for payment of railway fair. Other heads where the money from the Chief Minister's Relief fund was spent include one time payment to 92,000 poor families residing in inspirational blocks at the rate of Rs 500 per family, granting of rice to over 50,000 specially listed families among the APL, newspaper hawkers and several other categories who generally does not come under government schemes.