Mysuru: After an overwhelming response for the India’s first green building for public convenience (Toilet) at the cost of nearly a crore atop Chamundi Hills constructed by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with Automotive Axles and Meritor India, the district administration has decided to encourage such facilities at prominent tourist spots in Mysuru.
D Randeep, Deputy Commissioner, Mysuru district, during a meeting at his office here on Friday regarding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds with various firms said, “The response for the green toilet which is constructed at Chamundi Hills is really good. On the same lines, with the CSR fund backup we are ready to give permission to take up work on such facilities in prominent tourist spots in Mysuru which includes Mysuru Palace, Zoo and Karanji Lake. The facility provided at Chamundi Hills is very handy. The water used is recycled and the power generated through solar.” The facility at Chamundi Hills was inaugurated by Chief Minister SIddaramaiah on October 1.
Four lakes to be rejuvenated:
Four lakes which are almost dead at Chamundi Hills will get a new lease of life under CSR initiatives of Automotive Axle in association with J K Tyres and ITC. DC Randeep who is very keen on rejuvenating these lakes, during the meeting on status of CSR initiatives, called upon various industries to also take up rejuvenation of lakes apart from providing various facilities for education, health and other related activities. “Already Infosys and RBI have taken up the responsibility of rejuvenating Hebbal and Bommanalli Lake. On Friday, Automotive Axle along with J K Tyres and ITC too has shown interest to develop four lakes at Chamundi Hills. There are nearly 35 main lakes across the city and most of them are facing one or the other problem. Hence I have requested the firms to focus their attention on developing or revamping these lakes which will facilitate recharging of ground water. The four lakes which will be rejuvenated at Chamundi Hills are Thippayana Katte, Kempammana Katte, Devikere and Tavarekere.
“There are nearly 35 industries across the district whose profit is more than Rs 5 Crore annually. Two percent of their net profit has to be used for Corporate Social Responsibility activities. It was just like a progress meeting. During the meeting we came to know what exactly these firms have taken up as part of their CSR activities for the year 2016-17. Through the feedback we came to know that every other company spending on school related activities including repairing buildings, providing books, other stationeries, tables and benches. It also came to light that ITC is spending Rs 14 Crore on CSR, which is highest in the district. Among Rs 14 Crore, they are spending nearly Rs 8 Crore on Mysuru district alone. These kind of meetings will also help us to decide on the proper utilisation of such funds. Next month, we will release a booklet enlisting various welfare activities taken up by various industries under CSR. Later in July, we will also come out with ‘vision documents,’ that is, the CSR projects which will be undertaken by various firms for the year 2017-18” added Randeep.
Under CSR, for midday meals, the ZP CEO Shivashankar requested to provide stainless steel containers of different sizes to 2379 schools which would cost nearly Rs 1.50 Crore and fire proof aprons to 5386 persons at a cost of Rs 40.39 Lakh. Department of Public Instruction (DDPI) has given few proposals including construction of 130 classrooms at a cost of Rs 9.75 Crore; repair of 313 classrooms at a cost of Rs 3.37 Crore and construction of 1044 toilets at a cost of Rs 17.20 Crore. Cheluvamba Hospital too needs help hand under CSR funds to take up various welfare works including providing shelter for patients, construction of toilets, drinking water facility, canteen facility, computers and printers, he added. CEO also called upon the industries to help them in constructing RO plant at Public Health Centres across the district. Deputy Commissioner Randeep requested all the firms to submit their proposed activities under CSR to Ramakrishnegowda, Joint Director, Department of Industries and Commerce.
