In order to uplift the economic status of rural households in Odisha, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Mahanadi Coalfields (MCL) and Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation (BAIF). The CSR project, Utthaan, between the two companies aims to provide the households with sustainable livelihood opportunities. The MoU was signed by B Sairam, General Manager (CSR), MCL and DN Shindey, Vice President, BAIF.

In the next five and a half years, the companies will be spending Rs 202 million for Utthaan. While MCL plans to create self-employment opportunities for the rural families by promoting agro-based activities in 40 shortlisted villages of Angul, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh and Sambalpur districts in Odisha, its executing partner BAIF is reportedly said to set up cluster offices in these four districts to undertake activities such as animal husbandry, dairy farming, goat rearing, poultry farming, horticulture along with awareness creation and capacity building programmes.

The initiative aims to benefit 6,174 families and aims to bring changes in behavioural aspects with respect to safe drinking water, health awareness, clean kitchen, sanitation and use of toilets in rural villages.