Experts suggest for focus on climate action, green energy as special in CSR practices

Climate Action, Green Energy, Agri horticulture and conservation of tribal culture to be our focus for CSR: C J Venugopal, ACS

Industries in the state are committed to bring transformation in community neighbourhood: Dr Tapan Chand

By Swagatika Bhutia

Bhubaneswar, April 13: A state-level CSR conclave of top industries of Odisha on the theme ‘Doing CSR: Transforming the State’ was conducted through virtual mode on Tuesday attended by more than fifteen large industries including Vedanta, JSPL, JSW, MCL, HAL, Arcelor Mittal, Hindalco-Utkal Alumina, TPCODL, Dalmia Cement, NALCO, FACOR, Tata Steel etc and industry bodies like CII, UCCI and others.

The conclave was inaugurated by Shri C J Venugopal, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary as Chief Guest and Shri Tapan Chand, a well known top industry professional, President, Vedanta as Special Guest. In his inaugural address

Shri Venugopal emphasized on climate action and green energy as special focus areas for CSR by industries. He appreciated the commitment of industries by coming together on a platform for discussing on ways and means to use CSR for the growth and development of the state. Shri T K Chand in his address to the industries and industry bodies told that introduction of statutory provisions on CSR have helped in doubling CSR budget, increasing CSR spend from around Rs 10,000 Crore in 2015 to Rs 19,000 Crore in 2019. Local area has also got attention for implementation of CSR projects. He further added that CSR is a change as well as an opportunity to change. 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 fund raising etc have started developing making CSR a prestige tag.

All the above organizations like Vedanta, JSPL, JSW, MCL, Hindalco-Utkal Alumina, TPCODL, Dalmia etc made presentation about their flagship CSR project. All organizations exhibited their commitment to implement CSR in the state with a mission and bring transformation in the community. The assembly appreciated Women empowerment scheme and diversity of man power in Vedanta while MCL’s mega CSR projects like medical college drew the 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 Shri 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 etc were very much complimented.

In the conclave emerging entrepreneurs Shri Trinath lenka, MD, Wallet for Wealth and Sudhakar Rao, MD, Eco tourism organization who are providing services in remote areas of Odisha made presentations.

Shri Trinath lenka presented the services for financial inclusivity through its financial education which is at core of CSR. This company is already operating at five locations in Odisha and his sixth outlet was inaugurated at Damanjodi in the conclave to make services relating to financial inclusivity available to the people. All participants applauded the efforts of Shri Trinath Lenka for putting financial inclusivity in the agenda of CSR.

The program was compered by Ms Munmun Singh and coordinated by Shri Amit Singh and Piyush Mishra of Vedanta.