Nellore: Expressing concern over industries spending funds under Corporate Social Responsibility programme on their own, Andhra Pradesh agriculture minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy advised them to seek permission from officials concerned before using the funds. During a review on the utility of CSR funds with industrialists, public health officials and the district collector R. Muthyala Raju on Saturday, he said that firms should earmark funds as per government norms and use them judiciously as per the directions of officials.
He told industrialists to safeguard the interests of people displaced after handing over their lands to industries. He said it is also the responsibility of the firms to address the education, health and other infrastructure needs of those displaced. The minister directed industry promoters to ensure their attendance for meetings on CSR programme. He found fault with the contractors executing '1,100 crore estimated underground drainage and water supply development scheme through sub-contractors. He said that the practice is causing various problems at the ground level and advised the public health and civic body officials to monitor the works and give point to point markings to prevent deviations.
Mr Reddy also instructed officials to take up encroachment removal drives on Mypadu and Kottakoduru roads. MLC Beeda Ravichandra, former legislator M. Sridhar Krishna Reddy, joint collector A. Md. Imtiaz, DRO Venkata Subbaiah and RDO D. Haritha were also present.
