KATHMANDU: Over Rs one billion has been so far deposited in the Coronavirus Infection Prevention and Treatment Fund established by the government on March 23 in a view of the increased risk of the virus.

Narayan Prasad Bidari, Member-Secretary at the Fund in the press briefing on Thursday at Office of Prime Minister and Minister of Council of Ministers, Singhadurbar, informed that Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) contributed Rs 500 million, Nepal Telecommunication Authority contributed Rs 150 million while Nepal Telecom contributed Rs 120 million in the fund.

Similarly, Nepal Stock Exchange, Civil Investment Fund, Cleaning and Deposit Company, Beema Samitee, Rastriya Bima Sansthan, Rastriya Banijya Bank, Nepal Bankers Association also contributed to the fund for the battle against COVID-19.

Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada, Minister for Finance said that the fund was established with the amount of Rs 500 million.

Similarly, a meeting of the Council of Ministers has decided to donate one month’s salary to the fund, so it will be auto-deducted from the account, he added.

Thanking all the contributors in the fund, he said that the expenditure of the fund’s amount will be transparent and controlled by Financial Comptroller General Office (FCGO).

The fund’s amount will only be transferred to others’ accounts after the Ministry of Finance provides written orders to the FCGO.