Transport Minister Promises to Exempt Red Cross Vehicles From Taxes

Hyderabad: On the occasion of World Blood Donor Day, transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar pledged to push for the establishment of a blood bank in every district and a hospital with 100 beds.

Presiding as the chief guest at a blood donation camp organised by the Indian Red Cross Society at Raj Bhavan, Minister Prabhakar promised to look into the organisation's plea to exempt Red Cross vehicles from taxes. "I promise to look into the possibilities and take a positive decision," he said.

The minister congratulated blood donors and distributed certificates to those who had donated the most frequently. Health commissioner R.V. Karnan highlighted the importance of blood donation not only for trauma victims and those with severe injuries but also for pregnant women experiencing blood loss during deliveries.

"In Telangana, there are around 273 centres providing blood collection and storage. Of these, 63 are governmental, 8 are run by IRCS, and 100 are managed by various welfare societies. The Government of India has emphasised the need to rename all blood 'banks' to blood 'centres'," Karnan explained.

He added that state and central drug control departments must inspect all blood centres to ensure that blood donation does not lead to further health issues, such as viral outbreaks.

The event saw participation of Manakondur MLA Dr Kavwampally Satyanarayana, health secretary Dr Christina Z. Chongthu, principal secretary Burra Venkatesham, Red Cross Telangana chairman Ajay Mishra and general secretary and CEO K. Madhan Mohan Rao, and Governor’s joint secretary J. Bhavanishankar.