Maharashtra government eyes CSR funds for skill development

The Maharashtra government is looking at roping in the corporate sector to fund projects like skill development, development of anganwadis in backward areas and the Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan through corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds.

Finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said they were planning to involve companies with CSR spends of over Rs 2 crore and trusts run by corporates in these efforts. These funds could be used to strengthen anganwadis especially in the 122 talukas in Maharashtra which have a low human development index (HDI), grant an impetus to the Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan, and for skill development and social businesses.

These companies would be invited for a presentation followed by an interactive session. Mungantiwar said a suggestion in this regard had come from Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao. Work on preparing the list of these companies, including public sector undertakings (PSUs), was underway.