Bengal to introduce app for donations to state relief fund
Kolkata: The state government is set to introduce a smartphone app for donation in West Bengal Emergency Relief Fund, to strengthen its hand in the war against COVID-19.
At the same time, a WhatsApp number will also be introduced, using which one can coordinate with the state government if they are willing to make any donation.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said: "Even the smallest amount donated is important and in a bid to make the process of donation simpler, a mobile app will be introduced."
Banerjee expressed her gratitude towards people who have donated even a tiny amount in the fund and took names of some of them including Kunal Kumar Ghosh, Pratik Bhattacharya and Amit Biswas, who have donated Rs 50 each.
This comes at a time when getting acknowledgement against the donation one is making in the relief fund is just a click away. The acknowledgment receipt is a crucial document in terms of getting 100 percent Income Tax exemption against the donation under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had made the announcement that donors to the West Bengal Emergency Relief Fund in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak are entitled to Income Tax exemption as it is connected with the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
A link (Download Acknowledgement Receipt) has been introduced on the websites of the state government, namely www.wb.gov.in, www.wbfin.gov.in and www.wbserf.gov.in. One just needs
to click on the link and put in the transaction ID number, donation amount and its date to get the acknowledgement receipt.
People who have donated in the relief fund before the facility was introduced can also download their acknowledgement receipts through the same link. It takes two days at present to upload the data related to a donation in the portal.
Sources said a team of 16 officers headed by top bureaucrats are working to assist people, who are contacting through phone calls, emails, WhatsApp messages, etc. and expressing their wish to donate in the fund. The officers are also continuously working to make the arrangement more user-friendly.
The Chief Minister on Tuesday donated Rs 5 lakh in the Prime Minister National Relief Fund and the same amount in the state's relief fund.
A separate link has also been provided for those want to make online payment and details including the account number (628005501339), IFS code (ICIC0006280) and MICR code (700229010) have also been shared on the website.
The state government has also provided a set of phone numbers including 03371221089, 03371221090, 6290907626 and 8777860955, on which one may contact for further assistance.
