Taking the aspirational districts programme a notch further, government think tank Niti Aayog on Tuesday signed a statement of intent with Lupin’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm.
Lupin Human Welfare and Research Foundation has come forward to support three backward districts – Nandurbar in Maharashtra, Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh and Dholpur in Rajasthan, in an attempt to alleviate poverty.
“We have been working in 19 districts on health financing, Mudra loans, agriculture, bee-keeping, group dairy farming, developing nurseries, and bangle-making for women since three decades now,” said Venkataraman CV, Director, Corporate Services, Lupin Ltd.
“Our late chairman Desh Bandhu Gupta has created a trust with Rs 200 crore funds parked in it, which he had instructed should be used towards the service of the people.” Lupin also has an annual spending of Rs 40 crore on CSR activities.
Like Lupin, Niti Aayog officials said that many corporates help in the aspirational districts programme which charts development plans for 117 districts which are in need of crucial support.
“Tata Trusts has done the work of validating data that emerges from these 117 districts. Piramal Foundation is also supporting us in projects related to health and education. Larsen and Toubro will soon sign agreements for establishing ten skill centres,” said Rakesh Ranjan, Senior Consultant, Niti Aayog.
“These corporates will through CSR activities work closely with collectors and other district officials for expert guidance in implementing development projects. They will identify the gaps on where government funds are not used and help them streamline the functions better, apart from using their own CSR funds,” Ranjan added.