Friday, 21 May 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
The Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB) contributed Rs 25 crore to the CM relief fund to boost the fight against Covid-19. Forest and Environment minister Harak Singh Rawat presented the cheque for the amount to chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat on Thursday. The CM expressed gratitude for the contribution which was made in the presence of principal secretary, Forests, Anand Bardhan and UEPPCB member secretary SP Subudhi.
Addressing the media after presenting the cheque, the Forest and Environment minister appealed to all citizens, institutions and organisations to contribute if possible to the CM relief fund to tackle the difficult conditions caused by the Covid pandemic. He pointed out that last year the UEPPCB had contributed Rs 50 crore to the CM relief fund to aid the efforts against Covid-19.
Rawat said that the board charges environment fee every year and the income generated from this is used by the board to fulfil its social obligations. About Rs 20 crore is incurred on the salaries of the staff and other expenses of the board after which the remaining amount is also used for public welfare. The minister informed that the board has provided a sum of Rs five crore for the Kotdwar base hospital in order to boost the fight against Covid. He said that the state government has limited resources while the fight against Covid-19 could last long. Scientists have forecast a third wave after the second wave considering which the government has to tackle the ongoing second wave while also preparing for the third wave. Calling for united efforts and community participation in the fight against Covid, the minister said that people should protect themselves while making whatever contribution they can possibly make in the fight. The government can facilitate more resources only with the availability of adequate funds. Rawat further said that the state government is setting up oxygen plants across the state especially in mountainous districts. Oxygen cylinders and concentrators are being provided to every hospital even as medical equipment and medicines are being procured on a large scale, he added.
