Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s idea of auctioning the gifts received and using the donations for public welfare, the CM Uphaar Portal — created by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar — has received a good response as a total of 51 gifts put up for auction through Uphaar Portal have received a donation of Rs 1,14,95,000.
The Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Director General, Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture, Dr Amit Agrawal on Sunday said that a bid of Rs 21 lakh has been placed for the 3D model sculpture of the Chief Minister. A bid has been placed for Rs 6.41 lakh for the sculpture of Arjun Rath, Rs 5.80 lakh for the sculpture of Kamakhya Devalya, and Rs 1.75 lakh for the sculpture of Ram Janmabhoomi temple.
Dr Agrawal said that the amount received from the auction of gifts would be deposited in the Chief Minister's Relief Fund and would be spent on public welfare works. “The Chief Minister had decided to auction the gifts presented by social organizations or individuals as a mark of respect during various programmes; and under this initiative, the Uphaar Portal was launched,” he said.
“In the first phase, 51 gifts were auctioned till February 28. The base amount of each gift was mentioned on the CM Uphaar portal. Soon after the completion of the auction process of the first phase, the Chief Minister will present the gifts to the bidders,” said Dr Agrawal, adding that if the bidder so desires, he can also collect the gift by courier.