CII proposes to create a special fund from the contributions for this purpose. "We are happy that our members have responded immediately. Some commitments have already come in and several more are expected", CII deputy director general S Sen told The Financial Express.

Sen said the fund will be administered by a special committee headed by CII president Rahul Bajaj and will be used exclusively for the victims of Kargil operations.

CII intends to utilise the fund by providing support in kind. "We feel that the fund could be used more effectively by providing rehabilitation, self employment, training and education to the victims than merely providing them with money as it will bring more long-lasting benefits," said Sen.

ClI will workclosely with the Prime Minister's Office, defence ministry and the armed services welfare organisations to avoid duplication of work. "We will coordinate with the several agencies so that there is no overlapping of effort and the same person or family donot get support twice", he added.

CII also intends to make use of its vast network throughout the country to ensure that the need for support is met wherever it arises.

Though the industry is now gearing up collectively, individually several companies have already initiated efforts to gather funds.

Hero Honda group chairman Brij Mohan Lal Munjal said the workers of the group have already collected a fund for the victims of the Kargil operations. The fund so collected will be matched by the promoters and management of the group and handed over to the Haryana government. "We will respond to the CII call too", Munjal added.

CII past president and Eicher group chairman Subodh Bhargava said some initiative has already been taken up by the workers. Bhargavahowever said he is yet to decide on his response to the CII letter.

Meanwhile, an agency report from London said that prominent NRI industrialist and steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal has announced a contribution of Rs 1.1 million towards a fund set up to support the families of Indian army men martyred in Kargil.

"I felt deeply for the families who have suffered as a result of such tragic loss. Any assistance we can give will in a small way contribute towards helping to rebuilt the lives of these great martyrs", said Mittal.

Mittal said he was responding to an appeal made by Mumbai-based "Shaheed Parivar Rakshanidi Committee" (SPRC) of Congress strongman Murli S Deora.

A number of other NRI groups in the UK have also announced plans to set up special funds to finance the education and upbringing of children of the soldiers and officers killed in the Kargil operations.