Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati on Tuesday urged corporates to go beyond statutory compliance and adopt a more strategic, participatory and outcome-oriented approach to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), stressing that industries must act as responsible partners in the state’s development.
The Governor was speaking as the chief guest at the Bridge India Summit 2026 and a national seminar on “Corporate Social Responsibility: Emerging Issues and Challenges” held in Bhubaneswar. The event was organised in collaboration with the Public Enterprises Department of the Government of Odisha and jointly sponsored by the Odisha Corporate Foundation and Freedom Edu.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor said the CSR framework introduced under the Companies Act, 2013, has provided a structured mechanism for corporates to contribute to social development. However, he emphasised that compliance with the law should not become the sole objective of CSR.
He called for a shift from a cost-based reporting approach to a strategic, participatory and result-oriented model, with greater emphasis on credible implementation, community participation and measurable outcomes.
The Governor said that while Odisha is witnessing rapid industrialisation in sectors such as steel, power, mining and manufacturing, corporate development must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility, climate resilience and community welfare.
He urged industries to use CSR initiatives to strengthen education, healthcare, drinking water, nutrition, livelihoods, skill development, sports, rural development and disaster preparedness.
Highlighting education as a priority, Dr. Kambhampati said investments in basic literacy and numeracy, teacher development, digital education, scholarships and mentorship could significantly improve the lives of first-generation learners, particularly those from tribal and backward districts.
The Governor also called for increased corporate support for forest and biodiversity conservation, water security, livelihood restoration, local employment and women-led entrepreneurship in areas affected by mining and large industrial projects.
He stressed the importance of disaster preparedness and risk reduction, particularly in view of Odisha’s vulnerability to cyclones and other natural disasters.
“Communities should not merely be beneficiaries of development projects but should also be active partners in their planning and maintenance,” he said.
The Governor emphasised greater coordination among the government, industry, academia, civil society and local communities to make CSR initiatives more effective.
He said CSR could create a “win-win” situation when corporate technology, skills, innovation and resources are aligned with social priorities. The balance between profit, community and planet, he added, should guide sustainable corporate development.
Dr. Kambhampati said well-designed CSR programmes could play an important role in advancing the vision of ‘Viksit Odisha 2036’ and contributing to the larger national goal of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.
Kandhamal MP Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi, Jajpur MP Rabindra Narayan Behera, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Public Enterprises Department Md. Sadique Alam and Secretary to the Government Dr. Bijay Kumar Mohanty, Chairman and Managing Director of IREDA, were among those present. Dr. Bijay Kumar Mohanty also delivered the keynote address.
Arun Kumar Rath, Chairman of Bridge India Summit 2026 and Visiting Professor at IIM Nagpur, delivered the welcome address, while Nikhil Saraf, CEO of Freedom Edu Services Private Limited, proposed the vote of thanks.
