MEA to donate approx. Rs.1 crore to PM CARES, pledges support in fight against COVID-19

On Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs announced that it would contribute approximately Rs.1 crore to the PM CARES fund launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Writing on Twitter, MEA official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar stated that the Ministry expressed solidarity with the government in the fight against the novel coronavirus. According to Kumar, the donation would help support the Centre's efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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The PM CARES fund

Called the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund, this charitable trust was set up by the Centre on March 28. While PM Modi is the Chairman of this trust, the Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister are the other members. All citizens including individuals, corporates and organizations can contribute to this fund to augment the relief efforts in the wake of the novel coronavirus crisis.

Read: U'khand Governor Donates One-month Salary To PM CARES Fund To Fight Coronavirus

The donation to PM CARES fund will be exempted from Income Tax under Section 80(G). Moreover, PM Modi specified that the fund would not only cater to similar situations in the future, but would help strengthen disaster management capacity. One can donate via bank transfer, UPI, Debit and Credit Cards and internet banking.  

So far, eminent personalities such as Akshay Kumar, Varun Dhawan, Rajkummar Rao, Bhumi Pednekar, Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohli, Sabyasachi and Badshah have pledged a donation to the PM CARES fund. Moreover, the Adani Foundation has announced Rs.100 crore for this new fund. While the Home Ministry officials have decided to donate one day salary, the staff of the Supreme Court will donate three days' salary to the PM CARES fund. 

Read: PM CARES Fund Online Donation Step-by-step Guide: Contribute To India's Coronavirus Fight

Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: Defence Ministry Staff To Contribute One Day Salary To PM CARES Fund