LS Speaker to give 1 month's salary to PM Relief Fund for COVID-19 pandemic

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday said he will contribute his one month's salary to the Prime Minister Relief Fund, setup to contain COVID-19, which has infected over 500 people in the country and killed 10.

Announcing his decision in a tweet n Hindi, Birla said,"We're together in this tough time. I will give my one month's salary to PM's relief fund as my contribution in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in India."

भारत में कोरोना वायरस की महामारी से निपटने के लिए किए जा रहे प्रयासों के तहत प्रधानमंत्री राहत कोष में एक माह के वेतन का योगदान देता हूँ। हम सब इस कठिन घड़ी में एक साथ हैं।#coronavirusindia

— Lok Sabha Speaker (@loksabhaspeaker) March 24, 2020

Meanwhile, in a special gesture, Lok Sabha members on Monday gave a standing ovation in the House to express their gratitude to all those working to tackle the coronavirus outbreak, including medical professionals.

All members, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, clapped in the House along with the Speaker. Generally, members thump their desks in appreciation.