Dhenkanal, Nov. 10: The Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee, which met here today, asked Bhushan Steel and GMR power plant authorities to spend more on corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Revenue divisional commissioner (north) N.B.S. Rajput chaired the committee meeting that was held after a span of 11 months. Dhenkanal collector Rupa Roshan Sahu and MP Tathagat Satpathy, MLAs and company officials were also present at the meet.

After reviewing the activities of the sixth advisory committee, the officials urged Bhushan Steel Limited and the GMR to spend Rs 2 crore and Rs 1 crore, respectively, on CSR activities.

A district official said there was an overall concern over the rise of accidents at the Bhushan Steel Plant. The company officials were asked to enhance the ex gratia amount given to the family of the deceased to Rs 10 lakh apart from money given under the Workmen's Compensation Act.

"Regarding the demand to increase the ex gratia amount to Rs 10 lakh, I need to consult the top management. The company is making concerted efforts to avoid mishaps. Our aim is to stop all kinds of accidents at the plant. We have put in place all precautionary measures in place according to the law to train workers and ensure that no fatal mishaps take place," said Bhushan Steel director Rahul Sengupta.