Sans proper channel, students’ attempts to donate savings fail

But he knows that something serious is happening and he wants to donate his savings — Rs 350 — to the needy. However, his parents could not help their son as they didn’t know how to send the money to the Chief Minister’s relief fund.

“My son gave me his savings after he saw reports on how the lockdown has affected many. But we could not help him,” K Sujatha, who collects garbage in and around Anakaputhur area, said.

Like Sasikumar, many are not aware of the procedure to donate money for the cause. Teachers of several institutions are flooded with calls from students and parents who want details on making a donation and doing their part to fight the deadly virus.

A senior official from the School Education Department said that they got several calls from across the State seeking advise on the same. “Students, mostly from government schools, are coming forward not only to contribute money but also consumer products such as hand sanitizers, face masks, soap, toothpaste, brush, comb, biscuits, etc,” the official said, adding “We have received more than 200 calls in less than three days.” He said that the department adviced them to be patient till the schools reopen and they can make donations through their headmasters. “I want to contribute 50 face masks, which I purchased using my savings.

We do not know when our schools will reopen. Our contributions should reach in time to serve the purpose.

It should not be too late,” Gopalakrishnan, a Class 10 student of a government-aided school in Pallavaram, said. He also suggested that the government should keep a separate telephone line to register all the calls and go directly to collect the contributions directly from the students. Tamil Nadu Teachers Association President PK Ilamaran said that several hundreds of teachers received calls from their students, who evinced interest to contribute their savings. Recollecting Gaja cyclone and how thousands of government school students made donations to the State, he said “The helping tendency shown by students should be encouraged.”

Senior education officials said that contributions to Chief Minister’s Relief Fund can be done through Electronic Clearing System (ECS) to Indian Overseas Bank’s Secretariat Branch. Savings Account No is 117201000000070, IFSC Code – IOBA0001172 and CMPRF PAN – AAAGC0038F.

Accordingly, those who wish to send cheques can do so to the Deputy Secretary, Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund, Finance Department, Fort St George, Chennai 600009.