: Private sector Federal Bank plans to donate about 1,000 pre-owned computers this year to set up computer labs in about 200 schools in Kerala at a total cost of Rs 40 lakh, as part of its Corporate Social Responsbilty (CSR) initiative.
The lender will donate a set of five pre owned computers to schools after getting them refurbised. Presently banks have to dispose off computers every five years as part of system of upgradation, Thampy Kurian, General Manager Head (Human Resources and CSR) told reporters here.
The cost of setting up the facility and AMC for one year would be borne by the bank, which has earmarked Rs 4,500 per PC (Rs 22,500 per school) and a total of Rs 40 lakh this year for the CSR project.
The project has been rolled out from this year in Kerala and plans are afoot to extend the project to other parts of the country and enhance the outlay progressively.
Next year, 1500 computers would be provided to 250 odd selected schools in the country. 'We believe that by enabling easy access to technology, bank could reshape the destiny of lakhs of poor children from backward areas', he said.
There are about 6 lakh villages and 7 lakh rural schools having lack of primary infrastructure.
As part of the initiative, students from some schools in Aluva, Alapuzha and Ernakulam will be beneficiaries of the project.
The bank's CSR initiatives covers health care, environmental protection and financial literacy. Twenty five conselling centers have been opened in various parts of the country to build awarenesss about the financial frauds.
