NEW DELHI, Sept 15: The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday donated his savings of around ₹ 51 lakhs towards the ‘Aapda Rahat Kosh’ to extend help to the disaster-affected people of the hill state.
Exhibiting a gesture of kindness and empathy toward the people of the state, the Chief Minister and his wife Kamlesh Thakur presented a cheque of ₹ 51 Lakh to State Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena at their official residence, ‘Oak Over’, in Shimla.
The Chief Minister also gave away his one-year salary and contributed Rs 11 lakhs towards the State Relief fund.
While speaking to the media about his donation Mr Sukhu said, “I could well understand the pain of the people and their plight during the recent monsoon fury in the state in which more than 260 precious lives were lost.”
“Every section of the society had voluntarily contributed towards the relief fund. Elders parted away with their pensions to help those in distress, children broke their piggy banks and the State government employees contributed generously from their salaries towards the ‘Aapda Rahat Kosh’, he added.
Additionally, the Chief Minister stated that the people of Himachal Pradesh have stood together to face the catastrophe.
Mr Sukhu had also contributed to the state through his fixed deposits during the COVID era and keeps indulging in charity works for the state from time to time.
(Manas Dasgupta)