Employees from a number of government departments and agencies have donated a day’s salary toward the PM-CARES fund.
While the donations, meant for COVID-19 relief, were said to be “voluntary”, government circulars show that the deductions were made directly from salaries. Those unwilling to donate were asked to submit their refusal in writing.
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Revenue Dept. notice
On Friday, the Revenue Department in the Finance Ministry sent a circular to all officials, including those on the boards for direct and indirect tax.
“It has been decided to appeal to all officers and staff to contribute their one day’s salary every month till March 2021 to the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation (PM-CARES) Fund to aid the Government’s efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic,” the circular read.
‘Objections in writing’
“Any officer or staff having objection to it [the donation] may intimate Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) in writing mentioning his/her employee code latest by 20.04.2020,” the circular added.
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The communication come as a surprise to the officers and staff of the department as, they say, typically requests for such contributions come through the employe