It has reported that India Inc is slowly chipping in with funds and assistance for relief operations in flood-hit Uttarakhand. From donating money to sending teams for ground-level relief work, companies are reaching out to help people affected by the disaster that has claimed thousands of lives.
Jaypee Group and Jindal Steel & Power on Monday said they had contributed of Rs 5 crore each to Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, while Mahindra Group chairman AnandMahindra announced a donation of Rs 1 crore. The state-run coal behemoth, Coal India (CIL), has contributed Rs 25 crore to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the flood victims, a spokesperson of the company said. Similarly, NTPC said it is providing Rs 3 crore and State Bank of India (Rs 2 crore) and Bank of India (Rs 1.5 crore) will contribute to help rescue and reconstruction activity. NTPC and Jaypee have also pressed their helicopters into service for the government’s relief and rescue efforts.
“This unprecedented human tragedy in Devbhoomi calls for a quick response in terms of relief for the stranded pilgrims and the unfortunate residents of the affected areas,” Mahindra said.
Several companies said they are helping provide food and water, while telecom and oil companies such as Indian Oil were supporting the gigantic exercise through logistical support. For instance, state-run IndianOil said it is ensuring uninterrupted supply of petroleum products in the affected areas. Similarly, telecom companies – Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and BSNL – have introduced a series of services to help the relief work through communication.
Then, there is a long list of companies that are contributing relief material. For instance, Vodafone has sent food packets, while Indian Overseas Bank is sending relief material. If tobacco-to-hotels major ITC is participating in relief work in Uttarakhand, construction player HCC said it is providing support to affected villages by clearing roads.
Others such as Ahmedabad-based Infibeam plans to sponsor 5,000 free bus tickets and discounted air tickets every week from Dehradun to Delhi for senior citizens hit by the flood. Kolkata-based Emami has offered jobs for 10 families of flood victims.
(Times of India)
