Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao today asked the corporate sector to extend wholehearted support to the state government in implementing various social programmes as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.
The Governor asked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to create a CSR cell in the government, to be headed by a minister to facilitate cooperation between corporates and the government on CSR activities.
The Governor was addressing the first meeting of corporate leaders as part of the 'Maha CSR' organised by Government of Maharashtra at Raj Bhavan.
The meeting was organised to seek the involvement of corporates in the implementation of various social and welfare programmes of the government.
Observing that the ambit of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is vast, the Governor sought the cooperation of corporates in implementing programmes such as construction of toilets, solid waste management, sewage treatment and cleaning of rivers.
Referring to the scarcity of water in Marathwada and other parts of the state, he sought partnership between the government and business houses for water conservation too.
Fadnavis said the state government wants collaboration with corporates to create a convergence of developmental efforts. He assured the corporates that the government has no intention to "governmetalize" their CSR programmes.
Fadnavis announced creation of a portal which will help
corporates to choose a programme for CSR collaboration. He also announced that an officer in Chief Minister's office will function as a bridge between the corporates and the government for CSR programmes.
Finance and forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar sought the cooperation of Corporates in transforming 97,000 'Anganwadis' in Maharashtra into 'Smart Anganwadis'. He also sought cooperation in increasing the forest cover in the state.
Welcoming the initiative, Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej expressed the intention of his group to work in the area of skill development as part of CSR.
"There is no unemployment in India. Unemployability is the real issue," said Godrej.
Rajashree Birla, Nita Ambani, Sangita Jindal, Urvi Piramal, S Ramadorai also spoke on the occasion.
Minister for industries Subhash Desai, minister for water supply and sanitation Babanrao Lonikar, minister for rural development Pankaja Munde, captains of industries and heads of CSR of various organisations were present.
