As COVID-19 grips Madhya Pradesh, govt to divert ₹700 crore allocated for IIFA-2020 to CM Relief Fund

Madhya Pradesh government on Thursday decided to transfer ₹700 crore earmarked for the International Indian Film Academy Awards-2020 (IIFA) ceremonies, scheduled to be conducted in Bhopal and Indore, to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for Covid-19.

“The money which was allocated for the IIFA event will be transferred to the chief minister’s relief fund for COVID-19 assistance,” said Chouhan during a video conference held to review the preparations for the COVID-19 crisis.

The IIFA-2020 ceremonies were to be conducted in the state in the month of March. However, after the fall of the Kamal Nath-led Congress government and COVID-19 outbreak, the mega event was cancelled.

To promote tourism and films hub in Madhya Pradesh, former CM Kamal Nath had brought this event to Madhya Pradesh to draw attention of the film industry. Film actor Salman Khan and actress Jacqueline Fernandez also visited Bhopal and Indore to promote the event.

The state, which has been reeling under a massive debt of Rs 1.92 lakh crore is facing shortage of funds to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chouhan, who took a cut of 30% on his salary for a year due to COVID-19, has announced that the government will transfer Rs 700 crore, allocated for the IIFA, to the CM relief fund.

Chouhan also reviewed the preparations and prevention of COVID-19 and said that regions with signs of COVID-19 infection will be highlighted as hotspots and totally sealed. The administration has been instructed to take care of the supply of essential goods like milk, medicines.

“There are 18 districts affected by Covid-19 in the state. Three districts –Bhopal, Indore and Ujjain – have already been sealed completely. The remaining 15 district will also be locked down and sealed. Any movement in the area has been restricted strictly. The administration has been instructed to ensure proper supply of essential things,” said Chouhan.

The Chief Minister was informed that a total 46 hotspots have been identified. Among these, 8 are in Jabalpur, 6 in Gwalior, five each in Chhindwara, Khargone and Barwani, four in Dewas, three in Hoshangabad, two in Khandwa and Vidisha and one each in Morena, Shivpuri, Betul, Sheopur, Raisen and Dhar. All these areas were sealed on Thursday, said the officials.