Manipur, May 26: In a bid to rein in acts of charity which have been done merely for the purpose of publicity, the Manipur government has now stopped the practice of using specially created relief kits with logos, use of loudspeakers, declaring the names of donors, house visits done by organizations and individuals(s) and putting banners of the individual donor(s) in vehicles in the name of charity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
An order issued by Imphal West district deputy commissioner Th Kirankumar stated that a number of NGOs, CSOs, clubs, organizations, and individual(s) have started distribution of food and medical items or COVID-19 relief kits in various localities of the district during the pandemic.
Further added that it has also observed that such acts of charity in the form of cash is often accompanied by the use of loudspeakers, public gatherings, door to door visits, and more importantly the use of specially created relief kits/packages with names or logos, etc, for media coverage and social media consumption.
The order noted that “While appreciating such kindness extended in any form and welcoming such gesture or act of kindness and charity done in good faith and in solidarity with the masses affected by the dreaded pandemic, the use of media or social media outlets for gaining publicity in the name of charity is highly undesirable and it defeats and undermines the very purpose and sanctity associated with a charity.”
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It has become imperative to immediately curb and stop such undesirable and emerging trends in the interest of the general public stated in the order.
The district magistrate further warned that any person(s) found violating the order shall be penalized under relevant provisions of law.
