UP to sign MoU with Tata Trusts on Monday

The Uttar Pradesh government will be signing an MoU with the Tata Trusts on Monday to set rolling a long-term partnership in community development work, an official said.

The multi-dimensional MoU would be signed by representatives of the two sides in the presence of Tata's chairman emeritus Ratan Tata and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, a state government spokesman told IANS, adding the trusts would be providing support in the state government's endeavours in poverty alleviation, employment generation, increasing income and infrastructure development.

To ensure proper execution of work and effective monitoring, a joint state-level steering committee comprising representatives of the state government and the Tata Trusts would be set up.

The spokesman said that the sectors in which the state government and the Tata Trusts would be working include mother-infant health, preparing and implementation of a nutrition programme for better health of mother-child, and special efforts in ensuring that anaemia is eliminated in women.

A mechanism would be developed so that cancer can be detected at an early stage and a cancer registry would also be prepared.

Both sides would work together to ensure quality education and job-oriented training in various sectors.

Under the MoU, developing off-grid solar energy as well as solar energy-based irrigation systems, establishing solar water lifting pumps, hi-tech plant nurseries, introduction of improved varieties and techniques of horticulture, assimilation of various varieties, agro-forestry, bio-farming and combined efforts to increase agriculture harvest, mechanisation, post-harvest management are some other initiatives.

The MoU would also encompass safe storage, agri-marketing, encouraging micro-irrigation, developing high-quality seeds, development of value chain for milk, menthol, garlic, onion, maize, pulses, banana and potatoes.