Assam, May 22: Assam chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma donated Rs 3 lakh to Chief Minister Relief Fund as a personal contribution towards procurement of COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday.
“CM @himantabiswatoday donated Rs 3 Lakh to Chief Minister Relief Fund as a personal contribution towards procurement of #Covid vaccine. Through the contribution, the CM intends to help in strengthening the campaign against the pandemic while playing his part in the #janandolan,” tweeted the chief minister’s office.
CM @himantabiswa today donated Rs 3 Lakh to Chief Minister's Relief Fund as personal contribution towards procurement of #Covid vaccine. Through the contribution, the CM intends to help in strengthening the campaign against the pandemic while playing his part in the #janandolan. pic.twitter.com/4x4hN9Pkkg
— Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) May 22, 2021
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Thursday appealed to the people to turn the ongoing vaccination drive into a “jan andolan (mass movement)” by donating voluntarily to either the chief minister’s relief fund or the Assam Arogya Nidhi to buy vaccines.
Sarma said he is seeking donations from the public not because the state is facing a financial crunch but because he wants to involve the public in the ongoing fight against the pandemic.
He also announced that the donation amount received by the Assam Arogya Nidhi in the first Covid-19 wave — Rs 119 crore — will also be used to buy vaccines.
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Newly appointed health minister Keshab Mahanta reiterated Sarma’s appeal for a donation.
The Covid situation has turned alarming in the second wave with the state government imposing near-lockdown safety measures and banning inter-district travel from Friday. Curfew was extended last week from noon to 5 am.
Soaring Covid-19 cases and deaths have increased the need for an expedited vaccination drive.
