New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary on Wednesday underlined the need for greater private-sector and community participation in India’s development journey, saying corporate social responsibility (CSR) should increasingly be directed towards regions that need it the most.
Speaking to the media at an event in the national capital, Chaudhary said the government alone could not achieve the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ and that meaningful participation from industry, civil society and citizens was essential for the success of development programmes.
He was speaking at an initiative organised under the aegis of People for Action, which brought together CSR organisations, donors and policymakers to discuss ways to strengthen social investment and its impact.
The minister cited the PM-SETU scheme as an example of how government and industry can work together. With an outlay of around Rs 60,000 crore, the programme seeks to strengthen linkages between skill development institutions and industry.
Chaudhary said Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) remain a critical part of India’s skilling ecosystem and that stronger industry participation can help improve their courses, training infrastructure and employment outcomes.
He added that companies were also being encouraged to use CSR resources to support skill development initiatives.
Education, he said, was another area where private-sector participation could make a significant difference. Referring to the Vidyanjali portal developed by the Ministry of Education, Chaudhary said companies, organisations and alumni can contribute towards improving school infrastructure and other requirements.
He said district administrations and schools can identify projects for which CSR and community support can be mobilised, adding that people often have a strong emotional connection with their schools and are willing to contribute to their development.
The Minister, however, pointed to a geographical imbalance in CSR spending. While corporate social investment has increased significantly, a substantial portion continues to be concentrated in metropolitan cities and major industrial centres.
“There is a need to take CSR beyond the established industrial hubs and ensure that aspirational districts and aspirational blocks also receive greater attention,” he said.
–IANS
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