East corp turns to corporate houses for lessons in civic sector

Taking a cue from the municipal corporations of Mumbai, the East Delhi Corporation has decided to reach out to corporate houses such as Tata, Birla and Tech Mahindra to improve its sanitation, education and health facilities. Hamari Jamatia reports.

Taking a cue from the municipal corporations of Mumbai, the East Delhi Corporation has decided to reach out to corporate houses such as Tata, Birla and Tech Mahindra to improve its sanitation, education and health facilities.

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The corporation has sent out letters to these companies, seeking funds and technical assistance wherein they can help out in all areas of civic services ranging from maintenance of parks to providing furniture for schools.

By cashing in on the mandatory corporate social responsibility (CSR) of big companies that have to spend a portion of their profits for social causes, the corporation hopes to overcome its financial constraints. The move comes following the budget by Commissioner SS Yadav earlier this month in which he promised citizens better services in the form of new clinics, roads, parking and streetlights.

“The companies spend a lot of money on social causes and they can help us with their expertise," Yadav said.

Under the plan, a few projects like a proposed teacher training institute at Dilshad Garden and a ‘school adoption scheme’ is already being materialised.

According to the commissioner, one such company, Tech-Mahindra, has already agreed to support the Dilshad Garden institute.

The project titled ‘school adoption scheme’ is meant for trusts, corporates and non-profit organisations to improve conditions in schools.