Forest dept to contribute nearly Rs3cr to CM fund

Nagpur: All forest department officials and employees have decided to contribute a day’s and two-day salary to the Chief Minister Relief Fund (CMRF) in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
There are over 16,000 employees and officials with the forest department. Their contribution is expected to be nearly Rs3 crore, including 1,200 employees of the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM), a state-owned company.
“In the hour of crisis, it is our responsibility to strengthen the hands of the government to fight against Covid-19,” said SC Gairola, PCCF (head of forest force).
The Indian Forest Service Association, Maharashtra, has resolved to contribute one-day salary of March 2020 by each of its member to the CM Relief Fund. The IFA secretary Sanjeev Gaur has authorized PCCF to take appropriate decision.
KV Bolke and NR Gawande, both president and secretary respectively of the Forest Rangers Association (FRA), Maharashtra, in a release said owing coronavirus crisis leading to lockdown, the country’s economy is passing through a critical phase.
“The massive efforts taken by the state and central government need huge funds to fight the crisis. Hence, we have decided to donate two-day salary of March to CM Relief Fund,” said Gawande.
The Maharashtra State Gazetted Forest Officers Association, Nagpur, too has decided to donate a day’s salary of March. President Subhash Dongre has appealed to all gazetted officers to contribute generously.
Ajay Patil, BJP leader and central president of the Maharashtra State Forest Guards & Promoted Foresters Union, besides Maharashtra State Van Majoor and Forest Employees Union has appealed to all the employees to contribute to CM Relief Fund to fight the coronavirus.
Pradeep Shende of Maharashtra State Forest & Social Forestry Employees Union said all employees affiliated to the union have decided to contribute a day’s salary.