Tamil Nadu: Parties, bizmen donate to CM relief fund to help Sri Lanka

CHENNAI: Political parties and businessmen have contributed funds to the chief minister’s public relief fund to send relief to Sri Lankan people who are facing an economic crisis.
Chief minister M K Stalin had appealed to people to contribute funds towards the government’s efforts to help the Sri Lankan people. Responding to the CM’s call, leaders of the Congress and the MDMK have contributed funds to the CMPRF.
MDMK leader and MP Vaiko handed over a cheque for ₹13.2 lakh to Stalin at the secretariat on Thursday.
In a statement, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K S Alagiri said the party had already announced that it would contribute ₹10 lakh to the cause. He urged the party MPs and MLAs to give their one-month salary to help the people of Sri Lankan during this critical time.
The ruling DMK has contributed ₹1 crore to the CMPRF. Party’s MLAs and MPs will contribute their one-month salary. AIADMK coordinator and deputy opposition leader O Panneerselvam had already announced that he would contribute ₹50 lakh from his own fund. On Thursday, GRT Jewellers managing directors G R Anand Padmanaban and G R Radhakrishnan handed over a cheque for ₹50 lakh to the CM.
The government, with the Centre’s nod, would soon send 40,000 tonne of rice, 500 tonne of milk powder and life-saving medicines for the people of the island nation. It is the first phase of the assistance extended to Sri Lanka, the CM announced in the state assembly a couple of days ago.