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Bengal

Donors to get tax relief, says Mamata

Kolkata: Donations to the West Bengal Emergency Relief Fund in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak are entitled to cent per cent Income Tax exemption, announced Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Nabanna on Friday.

She said the state's relief fund that was set up to fight against COVID-19 has been connected with the Chief Minister's Relief Fund and allows exemption in Income Tax. Such donations are entitled to 100 per cent Income Tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

Banerjee maintained: "Many have come forward and extended their support. I would like to express my gratitude to them. Many individuals still want to help and there are many private companies as well. I would like to inform that donations to the relief fund are entitled to Income Tax exemption."

This comes when the Chief Minister had been repeatedly requesting the Centre to release funds that it had spent to tackle the situation after Cyclone Bulbul. The Centre has finally released Rs 1090.68 crore.

The Chief Minister on Friday also announced the initiation of the COVID-19 test facilities at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital with setting up of a laboratory. "The step to carry out COVID-19 test at the hospital has been taken up considering that it is not at all possible to bring samples to Kolkata for the same and mainly when trains and buses are not operating," she said, adding that the infrastructure will be of great help for the people of North Bengal. As many as five persons, including a nine-month-old baby girl, have tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday taking the total number of affected patients to 15 in the state so far. According to the bulletin issued by the Health department, the victims belong to a close group of siblings and relatives.

"Markets, both in the city and across the state, are operating properly," Banerjee said adding that she went to Posta Bazar in North Kolkata on Thursday and took necessary steps so that shop owners do not face any problem and can run their business smoothly. The problem of shortage of workers has also been sorted as local youths can be engaged for the same. In the same breath, Banerjee urged people to maintain a safe distance while visiting market places.

Giving a stern warning against the circulation of fake news, Banerjee said a rumour has been spread that a doctor, who is fighting to save lives, is suffering from the disease. The police are taking the necessary steps to identify the person who had spread the same.

The Chief Minister also added that the ones posting fake news on social media are fuelling fear and panic "at this hour of crisis". "Please refrain from spreading rumours. Those found guilty will be penalised."

About her letter to her 18 counterparts, the Chief Minister thanked Maharashtra government as it took immediate steps to support Bengal's migrant labourers who got stuck there.

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