The Karnataka tourism department is staking a claim to CSR funds, making a pitch recently for companies to adopt tourist destinations.
If you thought the non profits were the only ones looking at corporate entities to part with their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, think again.
After the Maharashtra government asked companies to adopt villages for promoting water conservation, the Karnataka tourism department is staking a claim to CSR funds, making a pitch on Thursday for companies to adopt tourist destinations.
After the Maharashtra government asked companies to adopt villages for promoting water conservation, the Karnataka tourism department is staking a claim to CSR funds, making a pitch on Thursday for companies to adopt tourist destinations.
The state’s tourism department signed agreements with six companies including JSW steel Ltd, Biocon Ltd and Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd on Thursday. The department reached out to almost 200 companies last month and six came forward.
There are 319 tourism destinations in the state, of which 46 major tourist destinations have been initially identified for companies to offer basic amenities and a better experience to tourists.
There are 319 tourism destinations in the state, of which 46 major tourist destinations have been initially identified for companies to offer basic amenities and a better experience to tourists.
Karnataka gets about 100 million domestic visitors a year in addition to 500,000-600,000 foreign tourists, according to G. Sathyavathi, director, department of tourism. Karnataka.
“Our priority is to give tourists a good experience. Since we don’t own any property. we never built toilets, water fountains etc., at these places; now we hope corporates will build basic amenities, and this can change the experience for the tourists for the better,” she said.
The government is asking companies to build toilets, upgrade existing facilities, provide electric cars for senior citizens, illuminate monuments, and conserve and restore monuments.
Companies will finance, operate and maintain these facilities for at least five years, after which they have an option to extend their commitment. They will spend the money on their own rather than transfer funds to the government.
The CSR law allows companies to spend on arts and culture.
JSW Steel will be spending about Rs.5-8 crore towards restoring the infrastructure of the Museum of Bangalore.
“We have been doing restoration work in Hampi and the heritage building in Mumbai. So we are looking for more opportunities in arts and culture,” said Sumantra Sen, CEO, JSW Foundation.
Biocon will be building and maintaining toilets in Bannerghata National Park, near Bengaluru.
“Our priority is to give tourists a good experience. Since we don’t own any property. we never built toilets, water fountains etc., at these places; now we hope corporates will build basic amenities, and this can change the experience for the tourists for the better,” she said.
The government is asking companies to build toilets, upgrade existing facilities, provide electric cars for senior citizens, illuminate monuments, and conserve and restore monuments.
Companies will finance, operate and maintain these facilities for at least five years, after which they have an option to extend their commitment. They will spend the money on their own rather than transfer funds to the government.
The CSR law allows companies to spend on arts and culture.
JSW Steel will be spending about Rs.5-8 crore towards restoring the infrastructure of the Museum of Bangalore.
“We have been doing restoration work in Hampi and the heritage building in Mumbai. So we are looking for more opportunities in arts and culture,” said Sumantra Sen, CEO, JSW Foundation.
Biocon will be building and maintaining toilets in Bannerghata National Park, near Bengaluru.
“Government should be using tax payers’ money for these initiatives. There are budget allocations for all these initiatives, so why tap into CSR? Every scheme of government from Swachh Bharat to Clean Ganga, they are looking at CSR. the government is also taking the easy route, it is not fair,” says Noshir Dadrawala, chief executive of the Mumbai-based Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy, a CSR consulting firm.
This article was taken from here.