After Speaker’s appeal, 35 MPs approve allocation of money from MPLADS fund to fight COVID-19

Mr. Birla had announced that he would give his one month’s salary to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla with his family members clap and clang utensils as a gesture to show gratitude to the helpers and medical practitioners who are working relentlessly to fight coronavirus.

Following Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s appeal, nearly three dozen MPs have allocated ₹1 crore each from their MPLADS funds to local authorities to tackle the coronavirus outbreak .

In a letter to all Lok Sabha members on Saturday, Mr. Birla said the country is passing through a tough phase due to the coronavirus outbreak and “as public representatives, it is our duty to stand with the people”.

He requested the MPs to allocate ₹1 crore each from their Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds to local authorities to tackle the spread of COVID-19.

Sources in the Lok Sabha secretariat said around 35 MPs have sent their consent forms for allocation of the money from their MPLADS funds to fight the coronavirus.

Earlier, Mr. Birla had announced that he would give his one month’s salary to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

The total number of coronavirus cases in India rose to 1,164 on Monday, including 30 deaths, according to the Union Health Ministry.