Tatas commit Rs 1,500 crore to fight COVID-19

While Ratan Tata has announced Rs 500 crore commitment, N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons announced an additional Rs 1,000 crore support towards COVID 19 and related activities.

Hyderabad: Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Trusts, on Saturday has expressed his concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic and said it needs immediate action.

"The COVID 19 crisis is one of the toughest challenges we will face as a race. The Tata Trusts and the Tata group companies have in the past risen to the needs of the nation. At this moment, the need of the hour is greater than any other time, Ratan Tata tweeted.

He further said that Tata Trusts is committing Rs 500 crore for personal protective equipment for the medical personnel on the frontlines, respiratory system for treating increasing cases, testing kits, setting up modular treatment facilities, and knowledge management and training of health workers and the general public.

In a separate statement later in the day, N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, announced an additional Rs 1,000 crore support towards COVID 19 and related activities.

In fact, the cumulative Rs 1,500 crore is the major allocation made by any company in the country so far for COVID-19 related activities.

Earlier in the day Maruti Suzuki India entered into an arrangement with AgVa Healthcare to scale up the production of ventilators.

According to the company, through this arrangement it intends to reach a volume of 10,000 units per month.

"MSIL would use its suppliers to produce the required volume of components and use its experience and knowledge to upgrade systems for the production and quality control of the higher volumes."

MSIL would also help to arrange financing and obtain all permissions and approvals required to enable the higher production.