Govt restricts acts of 'charity for publicity'
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 25 2021:
The state government has restricted use of specially created relief kits with logos, use of loud speakers mentioning names of donors, house visits done by organisations and individual(s), putting up banners of individual donor(s) on the vehicle in the name of charity during the ongoing pandemic.
An order issued by Imphal West District Magistrate Th Kirankumar noted that a number of NGOs/CSOs/Clubs/organisa-tions and individual(s) etc., have started distribution of food items, medical items or Covid Relief Kits in various localities of Imphal West District during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The act of charity or kindness done in good faith and in solidarity with the masses affected by the pandemic by any person or organisation is a welcome gesture, said the district magistrate.
However, such acts of charity in the form of kind or cash is often accompanied with the use of loudspeakers, public gatherings, house to house visits and more importantly the use of specially created Relief kits/packages with names of donors etc., for media coverage and social media consumption.
As such, it is felt that the use of media/social media outlets for gaining publicity in the name of charity through use of specially created kits, public gatherings, etc., for photography or video coverage is highly undesirable as it undermines the very purpose and sanctity associated with charity.
So, it has become imperative to immediately curb and stop such undesirable and emerging trends in the interest of general public, the order mentioned.
Th Kirankumar directed that such undesirable practice done in the name of charity during the ongoing pandemic should henceforth be stopped immediately and further cautioned that any person(s) found violating the order will be penalised under relevant provisions of law.