Date:02/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/02/stories/2005010202220300.htm

Karnataka - Bijapur

Relief fund collection drive launched in Bijapur

By Our Staff Correspondent

BIJAPUR, JAN. 1. The Deputy Commissioner, Mohammad Mohsin, on Saturday called upon people to donate liberally to the tsunami victims' relief fund. Addressing a gathering at Gandhi Chowk here, he said the disaster inflicted heavy damage to life and property in the country and elsewhere.

Rehabilitation of the affected people is a Herculean task, and it is the duty of all to join efforts in this regard.

He launched a fund collection drive along with the Chief Executive Officer of the zilla panchayat, Nagaraj Hampol, and tahsildar, S.S. Nagathan. Subsequently, they went around the market and collected donations from shopkeepers and others.

In the afternoon, Mr. Mohsin held a meeting with representatives of non-governmental organisations, officials, public representatives, merchants and others on raising funds for the relief work.

He said a counter is being opened to collect funds and material such as clothes and utensils. The meeting decided to take out a procession here on Tuesday.

The Bijapur MLA, Appasaheb Pattanashetti; the former MLC, S.D. Karpoorimath; the President of Bijapur Urban Development Authority, Gulappa Shetgar; and others, who spoke at the meeting, promised help to raise funds. Mallamma Yalwar of Sabala said the non-governmental organisation has collected Rs. 90,000 in cash and five bundles of clothes.

The president of Rotary Heart Foundation and paediatrician, L.H. Bidari, and the former MLA R.R. Kallur issued cheques for Rs. 11,000 and Rs. 10,000, respectively, to the relief fund.

The president of Clothes Merchants' Association, Vishwanath Bhavi, said since there has been a lull in business owing to drought for four successive years, donations should not be made mandatory as in the past.

However, the merchants here had always liberally contributed to the national cause, and he is confident that this time too, they will rise to the occasion.

The Superintendent of Police, Seemant Kumar Singh, and other officials participated.

Though the administration did not spell out a target, according to sources, it intends to collect at least Rs. 25 lakhs from the district.

BSNL employees' gesture

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. employees announced that they will contribute a days' salary to the relief fund.

The general secretary of the employees' association district unit, B.G. Salakki, said in a press release that this will amount to Rs. 5 lakhs.