Boudh Collector Satyaranjan Sahoo has courted controversy for his letter seeking financial contributions from owners of medicine shops in the district for the Red Cross Fund.
In the letter to the Boudh Drugs Inspector dated October 10, he has given the former an ‘annual contribution target’ of Rs 15 lakh @ Rs 10,000 per medicine store for the financial year 2022-23.
He has mentioned that it has been decided to diversify activities of the District Red Cross Society with public services like medical camps, sanitation drives, plantation, blood donation camps and other humanitarian activities, for which a pool of Rs 2 crore during the current financial year is necessary.
“Your past contributions to the District Red Cross Fund are highly-appreciated. In order to ensure your participation in our future noble endeavors, you are being provided with an annual contribution target of sum of Rs 15 lakhs (@ Rs 10,000/ per medicine store),” Sahoo’s letter has mentioned.
The move has drawn criticism from several quarters. With the district having around 140 medicine stores and many of those being in rural areas, the shopkeepers have expressed displeasure over the decision.