Odisha Revenue Minister Pushes Coal Firms to Fast‑Track CSR Projects

Bhubaneswar, April 30: Odisha Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has directed coal companies to accelerate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects in the state’s coal‑bearing districts.

The move aims to ensure the timely execution of welfare initiatives and strengthen community development in mining‑affected regions.

The directive covers key districts — Angul, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, and Sundargarh — where companies such as NTPC, OPGC, NLC, and MCL operate.

Among the priority projects are the establishment of a university in Jharsuguda, a cardiac care hospital, and a stadium at Lakhanpur.

Minister Pujari emphasised that CSR is not merely a statutory obligation but a social and moral responsibility of mining companies.

He instructed MCL to clear pending CSR funds and urged departmental officers to expedite implementation and ensure proper utilisation.

The meeting, attended by senior officials, district collectors, and company representatives, underscored the government’s commitment to accountability and oversight in CSR execution.