INDIACSR News Network
ROURKELA: A MoU was signed between Rourkela Steel Plant and Akshaya Patra Foundation in the Office of the CEO, RSP on 2 January 2013 pertaining to a project for providing mid-day meal to about 45000 school students from Lathikata and Bisra blocks as well as Rourkela Municipality, company said in the statement.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Mr.G.S.Prasad, CEO, RSP. On behalf of RSP Mr.P.K.Pradhan, GM (TA & CSR) and on behalf of Akshaya Patra Foundation, Mr.Chanchalpathi Dasa, Vice Chairman signed the MoU. Mr.Dipankar Basu, ED (P&A), RSP and Mr. Pancharatna Dasa, Unit Vice President of Akshaya Patra Foundation, Odisha were present on the occasion.
It is worth mentioning here that earlier on 17 December 2012, an MoU was signed between the Govt. of Odisha and Akshaya Patra Foundation for this project. Ms. Roopa Roshan Sahu, Collector, Sundargarh had signed the MOU on behalf of the Govt. of Odisha. This ambitious project has been taken up by RSP as a part of its CSR initiatives under the guidance of the CEO.
As a part of the project, a centralized kitchen will be set up at sector-7 of Rourkela with a capacity of preparing 50,000 meals per day. The fully vegetarian meals will be prepared in a completely hygienic environment keeping in mind the nutritional requirement of the children. Govt. of Odisha will supply the food grains. The fresh food will then be transported to the schools in 20 customized vehicles having facility to keep the food warm. The food will be supplied on all school days. It is noteworthy that Akshaya Patra is running similar projects in 9 states at present. However, the Rourkela project will be the biggest in SAIL as well as one of the biggest in the state of Odisha.
It is worth mentioning here that RSP will be spending about Rs 8 crores in the setting up of the project. Besides, the Steel Plant will be incurring a recurring expenditure of Rs 2.6 crores per annum towards the food expenses. Govt. of Odisha and Akshaya Patra Foundation will also contribute towards the food expenses.
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