ANGUL: Collector Anil Kumar Samal on Tuesday expressed his concern over non-implementation of projects under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) at Talcher in the last financial year despite availability of funds.
During a meeting here, the Collector attributed the non-performance of CSR activities to the rising obstructions in Talcher coalfields.
According to a district official, projects worth `45.54 crore were earmarked for CSR activities in Talcher for 2015-16. But not a single project was taken up in the mining areas fuelling discontentment among locals.
Sources also revealed that out of the total fund, `11 crore was sanctioned in December 2015 for execution of CSR works. But the coalfield officials are yet to float the tender for the work.
Similarly, several projects worth `42 crore are waiting for approval of MCL board. Though the Collector sanctioned projects worth `46 crore under CSR, no work has been initiated till yet.
However, MCL officials claimed that some of the projects have been initiated and others are in process.
Expressing dissatisfaction over non-implementation of CSR works, Samal asked MCL officials to speed up the CSR works in the affected areas.
BJP State secretary Kalandi Samal said the Collector has no role in deciding the projects under CSR and it is upto MCL officials to undertake its CSR activities.