Stand united, contribute to COVID-19 emergency fund: Partha

Kolkata: State Education minister Partha Chatterjee has appealed to the teacher fraternity for donating to the Rs 200 crore emergency fund set up by the Mamata Banerjee government to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak.

Chatterjee has posted a video of his appeal on his Facebook page where he said: "Our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already taken a slew of measures to tackle the spread of novel Coronavirus in Bengal. The financial component is an integral part of the country's fight against COVID-19. If we all do not stand by the state government in this crucial phase, then there may be a financial crisis. If we all stand unitedly by the government then the financial needs can be addressed at least to some extent. I appeal to all teachers to donate for this fund."

The minister said that his appeal is to teachers of schools, colleges, universities, SSK, MSK, para-teachers and even part-time teachers to contribute to this cause.

"I urge the mass organisations like the education cell of Trinamool Congress, its sister organisations and even the teachers' organisation affiliated to the Left Front to contribute with open hands at the state fund. I believe that everybody should come forward at this juncture irrespective of their political affiliations," he added.

Since the fund was announced by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on March 16, several MLAs and MPs of the Trinamool Congress, as well as those of the Opposition like the Congress and the Left Front, has donated to the fund.

Chatterjee, who is also the state Parliamentary minister further said that being elected MLAs it is the responsibility of all of them to think how they can stand beside the government and the people at this juncture and explore all possible means to support the people.

Speaker of state Assembly Biman Banerjee has also appealed to the MLAs of all political parties to consider donating their monthly allowance of the ongoing month to the relief fund.

Several organisations and eminent personalities in the city have already donated money to the emergency relief fund.

Calcutta Rowing Club (CRC) authority on Thursday transferred Rs two lakh to the relief fund and appreciated the moves taken up by the Chief Minister. The president of CRC Tapan Mitra on Thursday stated that they will cooperate with the state government to overcome the pandemic situation.

Forum for Durgotsav has also transferred Rs two lakh on Thursday to the fund. Joint Secretary of the forum Saswata Bose said: "It is our social responsibility to respond to the appeal. We have also requested the Puja committees, who are members of our forum, to create awareness among the citizens."

This apart, Chancellor of Sister Nivedita University and managing director of Techno India Group Satyam Roychowdhury has donated Rs 50 lakh to the relief fund. He also decided to provide Techno Global Hospital in Barrackpore and Subodh Mitra Cancer Hospital to keep people in isolation, if needed.

Roychowdhury also requested the teaching and other staff of all units under Techno India Group to contribute three days' salary.