NEW DELHI (India CSR): In a year marked by strategic foresight and a commitment to sustainable growth, Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries Limited (DBSIL) has significantly amplified its social impact, investing Rs 7.25 crore in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives during the financial year 2024-25. This substantial investment underscores the company’s “Digital Transformation: Sweetening the Future” theme, showcasing how technology and responsible business practices are converging to create enduring value for its diverse stakeholders and contribute to India’s inclusive development.
Dalmia Bharat Sugar, a prominent integrated agro-energy enterprise with operations spanning Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, views CSR not merely as a regulatory obligation but as a foundational element of its business philosophy. The company’s approach is rooted in the Gandhian principle of Trusteeship, aiming for a triple bottom-line impact encompassing social, economic, and environmental progress. By embedding digital intelligence and disciplined capital deployment, DBSIL is translating long-term strategies into measurable outcomes, reinforcing its identity as a responsive, responsible, and future-ready organization.
Dalmia Bharat Sugar’s FY2025 CSR Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total CSR Spend (FY2025) | Rs 7.25 crore |
| CSR Theme | Digital Transformation: Sweetening the Future |
| Flagship Program | Gram Parivartan (Rural Transformation) |
| Beneficiary Households | 20,204 households impacted across 34,511 interventions |
| Women Beneficiaries (Social Security) | 45% of 12,800 individuals linked to schemes were women |
| Micro-Enterprises Supported | 45+ micro-enterprises generating Rs 1–2 lakh annually |
| Women Empowerment Projects | Sarayan Project FPO won NITI Aayog’s RevolutioNari Award; 542 sewing machines distributed |
| Agricultural Innovations | Organic manure (press mud) benefited 977 farmers; income uplift of Rs 19,650/acre |
| Skill Development Program | DIKSHa trained 1,827 youths; 51% were female |
| DIKSHa Placement Rate | Over 84% (as per KPMG impact study) |
| Trainee Income Range | Rs 10,000– Rs 30,000/month for 56% of graduates |
| Social Return on Investment | 7.76:1 SROI for DIKSHa |
| Key Partnerships | Schneider Electric (₹1.03 Cr), NISD (₹56.7 Lakh) |
| Sustainability Initiatives | All units Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD); 100% wastewater recycled |
| GHG Emission Reductions | Scope 1: ↓14% to 120,492 tCO₂e; Scope 2: ↓21% to 1,053 tCO₂e |
| Climate Tech in Agriculture | Drone-based fertilizer spraying, geo-sensing tools |
| Governance & Oversight | CSR & Sustainability Committee; grievance redressal systems in place |
| Future Goals | Expand CSR scope, measurable impact tracking, and increased community trust |
A Year of Tangible Impact: Financial Commitment to Society
DBSIL’s CSR expenditure of Rs 7.25 crore in FY2025 is consistent with its commitment to community welfare, mirroring the amount spent in the previous fiscal year. This allocation is strategically aligned with Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, and contributes directly to national development priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). The company identifies and prioritizes material social and business issues through structured consultations with stakeholders, ensuring that its CSR initiatives address genuine needs and foster goodwill, thereby strengthening its Social and Relationship Capital.
The company’s robust financial performance, marked by its highest-ever total income of Rs 3,820 crore and profit after tax of Rs 387 crore in FY2025, provides the necessary backing for these impactful social investments. This financial strength enables DBSIL to balance growth aspirations with prudent stewardship, investing in capabilities that align with its long-term strategic objectives.
Empowering Rural Livelihoods: The Gram Parivartan Movement
A cornerstone of DBSIL’s community engagement is the flagship “Gram Parivartan” (Rural Transformation) program, launched in July 2023. This initiative is meticulously designed to help participating households generate an additional annual income of Rs 1 lakh, achieved through multi-sectoral interventions in agriculture, skill development, and enterprise creation.
In FY2025, Gram Parivartan made significant strides:
- Social Security Linkages: Over 12,800 individuals, with 45% being women, were connected with various government schemes like PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi and Ayushman Bharat, enhancing their social safety nets.
- Micro-Enterprise Development: The program supported over 45 distinct micro-enterprises, including fast-food shops, garment retail, and tailoring units, each generating annual incomes ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.
- Women Empowerment: The “Sarayan Project” in Ramgarh, a women-led Farmer Producer Organization (FPO), garnered the “RevolutioNari Award 2024” from NITI Aayog, showcasing products at various trade shows and achieving sales of Rs 6.88 lakhs. Additionally, 542 sewing machines were distributed to trained women across five locations, enabling them to earn between Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000 annually.
- Agricultural Support: Farmers benefited from the use of press mud as organic manure, which reduced cultivation costs by up to Rs 3,250 per acre and is expected to generate an annual income of Rs 19,650 per acre for 977 farmers.
- Skill Development for Crafts: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jaipur Rugs Foundation will establish training centers in Ramgarh, equipping 35 women with rug weaving skills, expected to generate Rs 60,000 in annual income per individual.
Cumulatively, 20,204 households benefited from 34,511 interventions under the Gram Parivartan program in FY2025, demonstrating its broad reach and impact on rural transformation.
Skilling for a Brighter Future: The DIKSHa Initiative
Recognizing the critical skill gap in rural India, DBSIL’s “DIKSHa” (Dalmia Institute of Knowledge and Skill Hubs for Accelerated Learning) program continued to empower youth with industry-aligned vocational skills. In FY2025, 1,827 youths were trained across four DIKSHa centers, with 51% being female.
Key highlights of DIKSHa’s impact in FY2025 include:
- High Placement Rates: An independent impact assessment by KPMG India (covering 2016-2023) revealed an impressive placement rate of over 84% for surveyed beneficiaries, with 91% satisfied with their job roles and salaries.
- Income Upliftment: Over 56% of trainees were earning between Rs 10,000 and Rs 30,000 per month, indicating tangible income improvement.
- Social Return on Investment (SROI): The program generated an SROI of 7.76:1, meaning every rupee invested by stakeholders yielded Rs 7.76 in social value, highlighting its efficiency and effectiveness.
- Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with entities like the Schneider Electric Foundation (committing Rs 1.03 crore for lab enhancements) and the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) (sanctioning Rs 56.7 lakhs for geriatric care training) further expanded the program’s reach and quality.
DIKSHa is not just training individuals; it’s fostering mobility, dignity, and a future-ready workforce for the nation.
Integrating Sustainability for Social Good
DBSIL’s commitment extends beyond direct social programs to integrate climate action with social co-benefits, demonstrating the interconnectedness of Natural and Social Capital. While environmental initiatives are primarily classified under Natural Capital, their positive ripple effects on communities are significant.
In FY2025, DBSIL continued its water stewardship, achieving Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) status across all manufacturing units, ensuring 100% liquid waste treatment and reuse. This reduces pressure on local water resources, benefiting communities and agriculture. The company’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with Scope 1 emissions falling by 14% to 120,492 tonnes CO2e and Scope 2 emissions reducing by 21% to 1,053 tonnes CO2e, contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment for surrounding populations. Investment in smart agriculture, including drone-based fertilizer application and geo-sensing technologies, not only enhances environmental sustainability but also improves farmer productivity and resilience to climate variability.
Transparent Governance: Building Trust in CSR
DBSIL’s CSR efforts are underpinned by a robust governance framework that emphasizes transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct. The Board of Directors and specialized committees, including the CSR and Sustainability Committee, provide strategic oversight, ensuring material issues and stakeholder feedback are integrated into decision-making.
The company maintains clear grievance redressal mechanisms for community members, farmers, and suppliers, ensuring concerns are systematically recorded and addressed. This commitment to open dialogue reinforces trust and DBSIL’s social license to operate.
The Road Ahead: Sustaining Inclusive Growth
Looking forward, Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries Limited remains committed to enhancing its social and relationship capital. The company plans to increase the scope and number of CSR beneficiaries, design high-impact community development projects with measurable outcomes, and institutionalize systems to quantitatively measure stakeholder trust and satisfaction.
With a clear vision to be a future-ready enterprise where sustainability and profitability go hand in hand, DBSIL continues its strategic evolution, demonstrating how thoughtful CSR investments, supported by digital transformation and strong governance, can lead to inclusive growth and shared prosperity for all. The journey of “Sweetening the Future” is not just about sugar; it’s about building a resilient, intelligent, and equitable ecosystem that benefits generations to come.
(India CSR)
