Nagaland Chief Minister inspects JSW community development initiatives in Ballari

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio undertook a two-day visit to North Karnataka, during which he inspected a range of community development initiatives spearheaded by the JSW Group in and around Toranagallu in Ballari district.

During his visit to the OPJ Centre on Saturday, Mr. Rio toured several flagship programmes, including JSW Shakti and Sakhi - North Karnataka’s largest women-led BPO initiative - as well as development activities at the Bunkai and Safety Centre. Impressed by the scale and scope of the initiatives, the Chief Minister lauded JSW’s commitment to inclusive growth.

“It is commendable that JSW is working tirelessly not just in production and trade, but also for the holistic development of the surrounding communities,” he said.

Highlighting the purpose of his visit, Mr. Rio stated that Nagaland, a state rich in culture, art, and heritage, was looking to replicate similar models to accelerate its own development journey.

“Nagaland has made notable progress in literacy, gender equality, and human development. Despite challenges, we are committed to building a prosperous State, and see JSW as a potential partner in achieving this vision,” he added.

Peddanna Beedala, zonal head (South India) of JSW Foundation, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the foundation’s rural development and social impact programmes. Rahul, chief operating officer of JSW Shakti, also revealed plans to expand the BPO model to Nagaland, sharing details of a strategic blueprint already underway.

The delegation included Sunil Ralph, senior vice-president of JSW Steel, senior officials from the JSW CSR team, and representatives from the Ballari District Administration, Police, and Health Department.

Mr. Rio’s visit is expected to pave the way for collaborative development projects between JSW and the Nagaland government, particularly in areas of skill development, women’s empowerment, and rural enterprise.