Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) had played a key role in the ‘Smart Village-Smart Ward, a unique programme by the State government.
He said so far the government had spent ₹730 crore through the CSR for the programme.
Mr. Naidu was addressing the State-level consultation on ‘Corporate Social Responsibility and Smart Village-Smart Ward Programme’ at the Praja Vedika at Undavalli.
He interacted with delegates representing various corporate houses and industries. He said he expected not just the monetary contribution but also knowledge and skill training initiatives.
He said the government’s focus was on improving the ease of doing good for promoting social investments apart from improving the ease of doing business and promoting entrepreneurship.
Mr. Naidu appreciated the Smart AP Foundation and the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department. He asked the teams to conduct more such consultation programmes and assured the companies of all help required.
Companies including Heritage, Apollo Hospitals, Cairn India, Divi’s Laboratories, Asian Paints, Kusalava, Reliance Group and others announced commitment to adopt villages in collaboration with the Smart foundation.
