The Union Finance Minister Shri P Chidambaram has lauded the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives taken by companies to further upgrade the social infrastructure facilities available in rural and semi urban areas of the country. He said that such initiatives have created significant infrastructure in socially relevant areas. The Finance Minister pointed out that the initiative, which insists on 2% of the profits earned by a company should be invested in socially relevant projects was approved by the Union Cabinet recently. Shri Chidambaram was dedicating 28 toilet complexes built in 15 schools by the India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL) in Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu yesterday.

Shri Chidambaram said that the initiative taken by the IIFCL was a laudable one because it impacts directly on the health and sanitation of a community directly. He requested schools, parents and teachers to ensure that the toilets are maintained in good hygiene.

Shri S B Nayar, Chairman and Managing Director, IIFCL presided over the function. Smt Suman Chehar of the Sulabh International that built the complexes and Shri P R Jaishanker, Chief General Manager, IIFCL took part in the function.

Under the scheme, Sulabh International has built 28 toilet complexes in 15 schools in Sivagangai district. The complexes have been built in scientific, environment friendly manner and the personnel from Sulabh International will interact with the schools and the community for a few more weeks to make them fully conversant with how the toilets can be used most effectively.

Corporate social responsibility obligation now requires companies to invest profits in social projects, driving infrastructure like school toilets. A regulatory requirement directs companies to allocate a portion of profits to socially relevant projects under Corporate Social Responsibility. India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd. funded 28 toilet complexes in 15 schools built by Sulabh International, designed for environmental compatibility and accompanied by short-term training to schools and communities on effective use and hygiene, with maintenance responsibility resting with schools, parents and teachers.