BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI) to tackle the problem of malnutrition in the state.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Wipro Group chairman Azim Premji.
During a meeting with Premji in the secretariat, Patnaik also requested Premji to set up a global training centre at Puri-Konark marine drive for which land has been identified. Besides, he also proposed the extension of present centre at Infocity.
The chief minister proposed setting up of the second centre of Wipro at Info Valley where it can be allotted land. Besides, he also requested Wipro to be a partner in setting up another IIIT, with an investment of Rs 128 crore, on PPP mode.
Naveen also requested Premji to invest in health care and education sectors. Premji said that Wipro will soon expand its Bhubaneswar centre with more facilities.
Meanwhile, APPI will spend about Rs 300 crore in Odisha, the first state chosen by APPI for investing in the sphere of nutrition, for eradication of malnutrition and development of women in the state over a period of seven to eight years.
The APPI, according to the MoU, would improve the Integrated Child development Scheme (ICDS) delivery system, the flagship programme of the Women and Child Development Department.
Premji praised the decision of the state government to appoint nodal officers in each of the four key departments for implementation of the MoU.
The chief minister thanked Premji for extending his philanthropic endeavour by selecting Odisha as the first state to invest in the area of nutrition.