The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 12, 2022
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a change as well as an opportunity to change, said Vedanta Ltd. Resident Director of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, Dr Tapan Kumar Chand.
Addressing the state-level CSR conclave of top industries of Odisha on the theme “Doing CSR: Transforming the State” today, Dr. Chand who graced the event as a Special Guest, said: “CSR has brought change in the mindset and now industries have developed a mindset of caring and sharing; and industry captains, the joy of sharing.”
“New trends of CSR like ESR (Employee Social Responsibility), cause marketing, strategic philanthropy, peer fundraising etc. have started developing, making CSR a prestige tag,” he added.
Dr. Chand further said that introduction of statutory provisions on CSR have helped in doubling the CSR budget, increasing CSR spend from around Rs 10,000 crore in 2015 to Rs 19,000 crore in 2019. Local area has also received attention for implementation of CSR projects.
In his inaugural address, Additional Chief Secretary of the Odisha Government, C J Venugopal who graced the programme as the chief guest, laid emphasis on climate action and green energy as special focus areas for CSR by industries. He appreciated the commitment of industries to come together on a single platform for discussing ways and means to use CSR for the growth and development of Odisha.
More than 15 large industries including Vedanta, JSPL, JSW, MCL, HAL, ArcelorMittal, Hindalco-Utkal Alumina, TPCODL, Dalmia Cement, NALCO, FACOR, Tata Steel etc. and industry bodies like CII and UCCI participated in the conclave.
Vedanta, JSPL, JSW, MCL, Hindalco-Utkal Alumina, TPCODL, Dalmia etc. made presentations about their flagship CSR projects. All organizations exhibited their commitment to implement CSR in Odisha with a mission and bring transformation in the community.
The participants and guests appreciated the women empowerment scheme and diversity of manpower in Vedanta while MCL’s mega CSR projects like medical college drew special attention.
Kishorie Express of JSPL to tackle anemia among adults and girls and OP Jindal Community College for Skill Development of 25,000 rural students presented by Prasant Hota was also appreciated. Girl child promotion scheme of NALCO – NALCO ki Laadli, HAL’s Tribal emporium, Mobile health unit of JSW, alignment of CSR with sustainability of Hindalco-Utkal Alumina were complimented.
Emerging entrepreneurs Trinath Lenka, MD, Wallet for Wealth; and Sudhakar Rao, MD, Eco tourism organization who are providing services in remote areas of Odisha made presentations during the conclave.
Lenka presented the services for financial inclusivity through its financial education which is at core of CSR. Wallet for Wealth’s sixth outlet was inaugurated at Damanjodi during the conclave to make services relating to financial inclusivity available to the local people.
