BHUBANESWAR: While inaugurating the Odisha CSR Conclave as Chief Guest, Prafulla Samal, Minister, Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Women & Child Development, Mission Shakti, MSME said that CSR Fund and District Mineral Fund should be utilized in a more transparent manner so that the marginal communities in the region can avail the benefit of the same.
CSR funds should be effectively utilised to eradicate the problems such as illiteracy, malnutrition, gender imbalance, lack of health services and connectivity etc.
He said that the resources available with the government are limited, so CSR funds can be used to accelerate the pace of development in the state.
He said that CSR should not be viewed as a discretionary cost but a social investment with tangible financial returns.
He informed that Govt. of Odisha has envisaged a plan to attract investments to the tune of Rs. 2.5 Lakh Crore by 2025 which will further generate 10 Lakh jobs.
To attain this growth, state is expanding its industrial base and also developing a long term roadmap for industrial development in Odisha. Keeping these goals in view, the contribution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the state government is expected to be more significant and result oriented.
Minister further said that in Odisha MSME units are generating maximum employment next to agriculture. State Government has taken a number of initiatives to rejuvenate and facilitate the growth and development of the MSME sector.
He further stressed that CSR is not only the responsibility of the Corporates but also the society as a whole. He raised the issue that CSR spending by the Corporates should not be done indiscriminately but rather as per the local needs under the guidance of the government.
The CSR forum organised by India Success Forum on September 1, 2017 in Bhubaneswar as a part of its initiative to facilitate awareness on CSR activities in the region.
Niten Chandra, Principal Secretary to the Govt., SSEPD Department gave a presentation on various initiatives taken up by the SSEPD department. He said that the funds of CSR can be meaningfully utilised for the social security and mainstreaming as well as advocacy of persons with disability.
Among others R K Mathur, DGM and Head Alimco Auxiliary Production Center spoke on the occasion. Other dignitaries had also highlighted CSR initiatives taken by Govt and respective industries. Participants from leading Corporates, Industry Department, NGOs, Foundations and students also attended the conclave. A series of panel discussions on CSR followed the inaugural session.
