Odisha Govt asks Corporate houses to spend CSR funds as per local needs

ONI Bureau: In another step towards bridging the critical gaps in priority sectors of development, Odisha Govt has institutionalized spending of the funds under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

A web based portal named GO CARE ( Govt of Odisha-CSR Administration and Response Engagement) has been made functional for CSR management and responsive engagement with corporate houses.

This was known from the CSR Council meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi in secretariat conference hall yesterday wherein Principal Secretary Industry Sanjeeb Chopra outlined various dimensions of CSR spending for discussion.

Considering the proposals, Chief Secretary Padhi advised the companies and corporate houses to take up the projects as per local need in the broad perspective of the State priorities. Padhi further advised them to focus on 22 districts that were not in the orbit of District Mineral Fund ( DMF) and Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation ( OMBADC).

It was decided in the meeting to give priority to education, health services and rural development projects under CSR. Other categories of projects to be included under the funds were environment conservation and improvement, gender equality and empowerment, relief works, Swachh Bharat, preservation of development of national heritage, armed forces, sports, slum area development and technology incubators.