Sambalpur: Monetary collection for Red Cross fund in Sambalpur district has decreased owing to the alleged apathy of the government officials.
The members of District Red Cross Society expressed their concern over the poor collection of funds at their annual meeting held at DRDA conference hall Saturday.
The members raised various issues at the meeting. They said Red Cross’s main job is to provide financial assistance to the helpless and this requires funds. An annual target is given to government offices to raise the necessary funds, but since last couple of months, not a single pie has been received from any of the government offices.
It was informed at the meeting that this year a sum of Rs71.10 lakh expected from 57 government offices. However, so far only Rs18,57,141 has been received from 16 offices. “If this situation continues, how will the Red Cross undertake its regular activities,” the members asked.
“Red Cross has not received even a rupee from 41 government offices. The meeting decided to write to these departments asking them to send their shares failing which steps would be taken against them.
The society also decided that the management of hearse vehicles provided by Red Cross to various hospitals will be given to women self-help groups. Red Cross has provided two hearse vehicles to VIMSAR in Burla and one each to Sambalpur, Kuchinda and Redhakhol hospitals. The decision to take back the vehicles from the hospitals was taken because the latter have failed to utilise them effectively.
This apart, it has been decided that Youth Red Cross and Junior Red Cross will work jointly with the District Red Cross. A proposal has been passed at the meeting that at least two meetings will be convened annually to ensure smooth management of blood banks in the district.
PNN