Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar on Saturday appealed to corporate bodies to come forward and carry out public-related works through CSR in Mormugao.
Amonkar was speaking to reporters after distributing 32 engine motors to Desterro fishermen through CSR by the Jindal South West (JSW) company.
“This was a long-pending issue of the fishermen association and though JSW Foundation had taken the initiative to distribute these motors, the matter had been kept pending for some reasons.”
“After around two years, we got in touch with the company and spoke to authorities and got these 32 motors distributed. The fishermen are struggling and sometimes they return empty-handed and face losses. Buying new motors is not possible for them. The CSR activity has secured the future of fishermen.”
“We want other companies to also utilise their CSR funds to carry out public-related projects in Mormugao Taluka. The JSW has developed parks, installed water filters, helped Anganwadis and also launched a vehicle for Swacch Bharat Abhiyan in Vasco. I have told them to have another vehicle for Mormugao Taluka,” said Amonkar.
The MLA said he has approached all companies operating in Mormugao and told them to carry out CSR activities.
“I have given them a time frame and if they don’t start doing CSR activities in the next 6 months, we will take necessary action.”
“I have also spoken to the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) but their business activity has decreased after the mining ban and we will take a follow up. They have agreed to have a budget to be utilised under CSR for public projects,” said Amonkar.
Capt. Anurag Bhagauliwal, Unit Head and Senior VP of the JSW, said each motor was worth Rs 1.50 lakh and the total cost of the motors was worth Rs 50 lakh.
“We have been trying to do this for a long time and we are happy to support the fishing community. JSW foundation believes in sustainable community service. At our Jaigarh JSW port, we have made a fishing pond and pool system where local fishermen can fish in shallow waters and survive.”
“If the fishermen in Baina are interested, we can ask them to visit the Jaigarh Port near Ratnagiri and study the project. This scheme can be taken up in Goa as well, if it benefits Goan fishermen. We want to have works which will benefit society,” said Capt. Bhagauliwal.
