KOZHIKODE: The State Government has opened a bank account for accepting donations for rehabilitation of merchants who suffered losses in the fire that broke out at Moideen Pally Road in Kozhikode recently.

At a press conference here on Monday, District Collector A. Jayathilak said donations could be given as cheques or demand drafts (DDs) favouring the District Collector or may be deposited as cash in the account number 670 353 547 70. The account was opened at the Palayam branch of the State Bank of Travancore (SBT) in Kozhikode. Donations can also be made by electronic transfer (IFS CSBTR 0000 301). Information regarding this has been posted on the official website of the Kozhikode district administration.

Mr. Jayathilak also made it clear that the bank account was the only official system available for making remittances into the fund that the Government intended to raise for rehabilitating the affected merchants.

The Government had no knowledge about donations being collected by various agencies for rehabilitating the merchants. However, there was no bar on these agencies remitting the amount collected by them into the SBT account opened by the Government, the Collector said.

The remittances received so far came to Rs.50 lakh from NRI business magnate M.A. Yusuf Ali and Rs.1 lakh from playback singer K.J. Yesudas. Forest Minister Benoy Viswom donated a month's salary of his (Rs.18,000) into this account.

Appeal for donations

Dr. Jayathilak appealed to individuals and institutions to contribute generously to the relief fund. It was also made clear at the press conference that the rehabilitation plan would be finalised only after the exact volume of donations received was known. This would take about two months.

Meanwhile, various suggestions about the rehabilitation package were under the Government's consideration. One was the setting up of a company in which all the stakeholders would have representation. However, it could be done only if a consensus was arrived at about the rehabilitation package.

The District Collector also pointed out that it would not be possible to recreate the buildings that were destroyed in the fire since modifications would be inevitable to suit the new building rules.

Dr. Jayathilak also announced that the inquiry into the fire, being conducted by the Additional District Magistrate (ADM), was progressing. The ADM had 90 days to complete the probe and submit his report.

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