Noamundi: A conference on development challenges in West Singhbhum district and the role of corporate sector to overcome these challenges was organized by the district administration at Tata steel Officers� Club in Noamundi on Sunday.
The conference was held in two sessions. The morning session was chaired by the deputy commissioner of West Singhbhum while the afternoon session was presided over by the state Finance Secretary J B Tubid. The conference was attended by delegates of mines and industries of West Singhbhum and members of Zila Parishad.
Speaking as the chief guest before a gathering of delegates of various companies, Tubid said, �Now simply giving one or two jobs to the sons of the union leader to keep them silent will not serve the purpose. Now you have to take care and tender yeoman service to the underprivileged villagers of Saranda under CSR. The villagers living far off the interior part of Sarenda are suffering from malnutrition. They do not have wooden beds to sleep on, though they dwell in dense forest.�
MLA Geeta Koda was also present on the occasion. In her address, she alleged that the administration had organized the conference without informing the public representative. She said CSR was related to public interest and that there was no public participation in the conference.
She further said, �Every time the corporate houses submit their CSR report to the administration, it does not match with the reality. They must submit affidavit to the government regarding their CSR report every year.�
The deputy commissioner AB Siddiqui said, �The conference does not have any wrong motive. This is our first initiative to make a road map to implement the CSR in villages. Also I had suggested that each corporate house should adopt one school in every block and make it a model school. I have also reviewed it today in the meeting.�
The DC further said that the corporate house should not include such activities like constructing roads, fencing a boundary wall, plantation drive and measures taken for the protection of environment in CSR expenditure. CSR means out of the total income of the company, certain percentage of the amount as decided by the government should be spent for the benefit and progress of the Society. He suggested that an emergency relief fund should be established in the District as such giving immediate relief to the victim of natural calamities or man-made calamities.
A large number of company delegation, government officials and public representatives were present on the occasion.