A grant of Rs 3 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) has been sanctioned for the renal transplant of Lipokjungshi, a resident of Mokokchung, Nagaland, currently under treatment at the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) in Vellore, Tamil Nadu.
The grant, approved in response to a request from S Phangnon Konyak, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from Nagaland, is intended to partially cover the expenses for the essential procedure. Konyak, in her letter to the Prime Minister dated July 18, 2024, emphasized the significance of such support for those requiring critical medical care.
According to the PMNRF communication, CMCH has been instructed to proceed with the transplant and submit a detailed report on actual expenses incurred, enabling the release of 50% of the admissible grant amount or up to INR 3 lakh, whichever is lower. The hospital is responsible for verifying the patient’s identity and adherence to protocols under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994.
Talking to MT, sources from the MP’s office stated that she was not previously aware of the patient. It was reported that the family reached out to the MP seeking assistance, as they needed to pursue treatment outside of Nagaland. The MP indicated that she would give it a try and subsequently submitted an application to the PMNRF, which was approved.
“With the vision of Sabka Saath, our PM is touching many lives by his benevolent leadership,” the MP stated.
About PMNRF
The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) was established in 1948 by then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to assist individuals displaced from Pakistan. Today, the fund is utilized to support those affected by both natural and man-made disasters, including floods, cyclones, earthquakes, major accidents, acid attacks, and riots.
The fund relies solely on public contributions and does not receive any budgetary support. Its corpus is invested in fixed deposits with banks, and disbursements require the Prime Minister’s approval. Contributions to the PMNRF are eligible for a 100% tax deduction under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.