MUMBAI: The cine and TV artistes' association (CINTAA) has appealed to the masses and its A-lister members to donate rations and funds for the benefit of film and TV artists who have lost their livelihood amid the ongoing 21-day lockdown.

“Since CINTAA has a very limited corpus, we are not a cash-rich association. Our charitable sister trust, the cine artist welfare trust (CAWT), is also running out of funds,” said actor and CINTAA senior joint secretary and chairperson outreach committee Amit Behl. “We have appealed to all our members and A-listers to start helping us by donating ration and some funds. We have also circulated the account number and IFSC of cine artist welfare trust giving them the benefit of 80G certificate.” 

“The responses have already started pouring in. We have learnt that many of CINTAA's senior and well-established actors are also sending their appeal videos. Apart from members, A-listers and the masses, CINTAA has also approached the I&B ministry and Maharashtra government, urging them to request the broadcasters to release payments during this crisis. Generally, there is a 90-120 day cycle for clearing payments,” said Behl. 

From CINTAA’s own corpus, the association has pledged to help their members in need. They have been making and distributing ration packets. “Also, Rs 2000 per member based on the actual needs is also being compensated. The start has happened. We are also trying our best to help our members,” affirmed Behl.