Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES) for donations to "India's war against Covid-19" or the novel coronavirus.

PM Modi asked people to contribute to the PM-CARES Fund so as to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic that has claimed 21 lives in India and over 25,000 across the world so far.

Taking to Twitter on Saturday, PM Modi said: "People from all walks of life expressed their desire to donate to India’s war against COVID-19. Respecting that spirit, the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund has been constituted. This will go a long way in creating a healthier India."

People from all walks of life expressed their desire to donate to India’s war against COVID-19.



Respecting that spirit, the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund has been constituted. This will go a long way in creating a healthier India. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 28, 2020

In another tweet, PM Modi appealed to the citizens saying: "Kindly contribute to the PM-CARES Fund. This Fund will also cater to similar distressing situations if they occur in the times ahead. This link has all the important details about the fund."

It is my appeal to my fellow Indians,



Kindly contribute to the PM-CARES Fund. This Fund will also cater to similar distressing situations, if they occur in the times ahead. This link has all important details about the fund. https://t.co/enPvcqCTw2 March 28, 2020

PM Modi further said, "The PM-CARES Fund accepts micro-donations too. It will strengthen disaster management capacities and encourage research on protecting citizens."

"Let us leave no stone unturned to make India healthier and more prosperous for our future generations," PM Modi said.

A PIB release read: "The Prime Minister’s office has been receiving spontaneous and innumerable requests for making generous donations to support the government in the wake of this emergency."

"Keeping in mind, the need for having a dedicated national fund with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation, like posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and to provide relief to the affected, a public charitable trust under the name of Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund’ (PM CARES Fund)’ has been set up. Prime Minister is the Chairman of this trust and its Members include Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister," the release read.

The release also provided account details for those willing to donate as per their wish:

Name of the Account : PM CARES

Account Number : 2121PM20202

IFSC Code : SBIN0000691

SWIFT Code : SBININBB104

Name of Bank & Branch : State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch

UPI ID : pmcares@sbi

Following modes of payments are available on the website pmindia.gov.in:

1. Debit Cards and Credit Cards

2. Internet Banking

3.UPI (BHIM, PhonePe, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, PayTM, Mobikwik, etc.)

4. RTGS/NEFT

The release further said that the "donations to this fund will be exempted from income tax under section 80(G)".

(Credit: @narendramodi)

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