Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath exhorted major companies to invest in the state under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund in skill development, social infrastructure in rural areas, building toilets, tourism and education.
Speaking at the first-ever CSR conclave in Lucknow on Tuesday, Yogi said that corporates had contributed in the development of UP and they could do more for the common people by developing sports facilities in rural areas, ensuring amenities for attendants of patients in hospitals and conserving ancient Indian culture and traditions. “As the CM of UP in the last 16-17 months, I have often felt that various government-sponsored development and welfare programmes fail to reach intended beneficiaries and remain only a programme failing to make the desired impact. The corporates through CSR can fill the gap by investing in welfare programmes which would also ensure people’s participating in development process,” said Yogi while addressing the conclave. “In March 2017, the new government faced the challenge of building toilets as 53 per cent families of the state had no toilets and there was no awareness. Even as ‘Swachh Bharat’ scheme was announced by the Prime Minister in October 2014, there was no blueprint for the implementation of the scheme and we had to begin from a scratch. But after these months, I can say with pride that as per baseline survey, 96 per cent families have toilets and UP is likely to be declared ‘Open Defecation free’ (ODF) on October 2,” said the CM.
Lauding the role of the corporate in achieving ODF status, the CM said: “This feat was not possible with government efforts alone. The corporate also contributed. Some took responsibility of building 500 toilets, others 1,000 toilets and the target was achieved and 1.35 crore toilets were constructed in the last six months.”
Yogi said that the CSR also contributed in achieving the PM’s ambitious scheme for rural and urban housing for the poor. “By October, 11 lakh rural families and 4 lakh urban families will be provided houses. Besides, ODF and Swachh Bharat campaign, corporates can contribute a lot in medical health, tourism and education,” he said.
Urging the corporate to contribute for Sanskrit schools, Yogi said: “You can do a lot for conserving ancient Indian culture by contributing for repair and rehabilitation of Sanskrit schools as buildings of several schools are dilapidated.” Industries Minister Satish Mahana announced that the government was ready to provide facilities to industries and in return they should contribute their CSR funds in the state to improve the quality of life of the people. Prominent industrialists and PHD Chamber of Commerce president Lalit Khaitan handed over a cheque for Rs 51 lakh to the CM as a CSR contribution to the state.
