Ambani gives COVID-19 hospital, free food, fuel with Rs 500 cr aid to PM’s Fund
   Date :31-Mar-2020

Ambani _1  H x
 
 
NEW DELHI :
 
BILLIONAIRE Mukesh Ambani on Monday gave an additional Rs 500 crore to the Prime Minister CARES Fund on top of the multi-crore initiative of the country’s first COVID-19 hospital as he leads the Indian industry in pledging resources to fight the crisis. Ambani’s Reliance Industries said that besides donating Rs 500 crore to the PM-CARES Fund, it will also provide Rs 5 crore each to the Governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat to support their fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
 
These are in addition to the 100-bedded dedicated coronavirus hospital in Mumbai, manufacturing 1 lakh protective face masks per day, 50 lakh free meals to the needy through non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and fuel to emergency vehicles carrying COVID-19 patients. “RIL also continues its 24x7, multi-pronged, on-the-ground effort to do its bit to ensure the nation remains prepared, fed, supplied, safe, connected and motivated to fight and win against the unprecedented challenges brought upon by the coronavirus pandemic,” the company said in a statement.
 
The firm said that it has already deployed the strengths of the Reliance Family on this action plan against coronavirus, and that RIL and its team have stepped up across cities and villages and pressed additional capabilities into the service of the nation. “We are confident that India will conquer the coronavirus crisis sooner rather than later. The entire Reliance Industries Ltd team is with the nation in this hour of crisis and will do everything to win this battle against COVID-19,” Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Ltd, said.
 
Nita Ambani, founder Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, said, “As the nation comes together to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, all of us at Reliance Foundation stand in solidarity with our countrymen and women, especially those on the front-lines to whom we pledge our full support. Our doctors and staff have helped set up India’s first COVID-19 hospital and are committed to supporting the Government in exhaustive screening, testing, prevention, and treatment of COVID-19.” The need of the hour is to support marginalised and daily wage communities, she said adding that “through our meal distribution programme, we aim to feed lakhs of people daily.” Earlier this month, Reliance had announced a host of measures to aid with the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, including continued pay to temporary workers, setting up a dedicated COVID-19 hospital and ramping up face-mask production. Corporate India has been rushing in to help the Government and citizens fight the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Tata Trusts and Tata group together have pledged Rs 1,500 crore.