Coca Cola pacts UN arm to pump in $3lakh under CSR

New Delhi, Apr 17 (UNI) Coca-Cola, the world's largest soft-drink maker, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibilty (CSR) has partnered with UN-Habitat, a subsidiary organ of the United Nation, to provide clean drinking water and sanitation in West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Nepal.

'' This is for the first time that we are collaborating with UN-Habiatat in India. With an investment of three lakh dollars and spanning three years, this project aims at drinking water conservation, sanitation and awareness creation,'' said Mr Deepak Jolly, Vice President for Public Affairs and Communication, Coca Cola, India.

The project, a 50:50 partnership between Coca-Cola and UN-Habitat, will provide clean drinking water to 150 schools in West Bengal and 10 schools in Madhya Pradesh. A number of towns in neighbouring Nepal also come under this project, Mr Jolly said.

The venture is likley to provide employment opportunities to over one lakh people and benefit around 75,000 school children, he added.

He said around 70 per cent of the total amount invested would be used in India, including 30 per cent in West Bengal, while the remaining 30 per cent will be utilised in the Himalayan nation.

The deal was signed at the 21st session of the Governing Council in Nairobi. The next step is the formation of a Steering Committee, comprising four to five memebers.

The activities under the project are likely to kick-off in another four-six weeks.

UNI