Amidst national-level row over ‘Chinese’ donations, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday urged Narendra Modi Government to return contributions received in the ‘PM CARES Fund’ from the Chinese companies or firms with Chinese stakeholders “just ahead of conflict at Line of Actual Control (LAC)”.
“Every single Chinese penny should be returned,” Capt insisted.“We cannot be taking money from them while they are killing our soldiers,” said Capt Amarinde, adding, “There is a confrontation on between India and China. If any money has been received, it should be sent back.”
Capt Amarinder, interacting with the media, called for a tough stand on China saying that the neighbouring country had been persistently disturbing India on the border as it wanted to bridge the gap between Siachen and Aksai Chin to its advantage.
“It is time the Centre took a tough stand on China,” he said, while calling attention to the storm over donations from Chinese companies.
Giving details, the Chief Minister said that the PM Cares Fund, which has been setup with an aim to collect funds for fighting COVID-19 pandemic, got contributions to the tune of Rs 7 crore from Huawei, Rs 30 crore from Tik Tok, Xiaomi gave Rs 10 crore and Oppo Rs one crore.
“These contributions were pouring in since 2013 onwards,” said Capt Amarinder while asking the Prime Minister Modi to tell all regarding the “help”. Notably, the PM-CARES Fund was set up by the Central Government in March this year to deal with any coronavirus-related emergency.
At the same time, the Chief Minister expressed his anguish over the Chinese incursions saying that it was distressing that on one hand, Chinese were killing our soldiers, and on the other contributing funds in PM CARES, which is unfair and hence these funds should be returned back.
This was the first time since COVID-19 outbreak that Capt Amarinder chose to address the media on a physical, and not virtual, platform. His demand came a day after the Congress party questioned the Modi Government on accepting donations at the time of face-off with China.
