New Delhi, August 2, 2019: Maruti Suzuki India Limited spent over INR 154.1 Crore on CSR activities in FY 2018-19, utilising the full budget for the purpose, company’s annual report said.
Aligning with the national priorities for sustainable development of the country, the report highlights Company’s alignment with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as identified by United Nations.
The Company has imbibed the 3R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) principle, Japanese practices and Suzuki Motor Corporation’s (SMC) basic philosophy of ‘smaller, fewer, lighter, shorter and neater’ in all its operating practices, since its inception. These have made the operations efficient and also supported in resource optimization and conservation. The environment-friendly products of the Company contribute to reduce carbon footprint. Thus, supporting the Company’s contribution towards circular economy.
Acknowledging the government’s vision to make manufacturing as the growth engine for creating national wealth and employment, Mr. R C Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “Our history shows the importance of creating wealth to enable all citizens to enjoy a satisfactory level of life on a sustained basis. Further, the larger the employment generation the greater would be the inclusivity in the creation of wealth and the ability to meet the aspirations of the youth.”
To achieve the government’s objective the Company is proud to partner in “Skill India” mission for helping the youth in getting gainful employment.
Mr. Bhargava said, “The Company is fully committed to help Government’s programme for reducing the consumption of oil and achieving cleaner environmental standards. We had started in this direction many years ago with the introduction of factory-fitted CNG vehicles. The production of such cars increased by 40% in 2018-19 and this year is targeted to increase by nearly 50%.
Mr. Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited added, “We are thankful to the Government of India and appreciate their efforts in increasing the CNG distribution network in the country.”
Mr. Bhargava, added, “In the 26 villages where community development work has been taken up, toilets, water ATMs, and rainwater harvesting are being given priority in line with national priorities. The technical education programme continues and is being expanded. Near, the Gujarat plant of Suzuki Motor Corporation, a 50-bedded hospital, which will provide low-cost healthcare to the people of that area, is under construction. A school that will gradually expand to cover Secondary education is also being built”.
On the use of renewable energy, Mr. Bhargava added, “The Company is focusing on expanding solar energy use. The initial 1.3 MW plant is now being supplemented by a 5MW solar energy plant that will be commissioned this financial year. Another 20MW solar energy plant at Manesar, is likely to be commissioned in 2021.”
Mr. Ayukawa also shared some of the Company’s green initiatives in addition to the Company’s environment-friendly products. He said, “To reduce its carbon footprint, the Company relies majorly on natural gas for its energy requirement. In addition, the Company has been increasing the share of vehicle dispatch, through rail mode, and has dispatched around 8% of the vehicles during the year.”
On conservation of natural resources, Mr. Ayukawa said, “The Company, over the years, has brought down the dependence on ground water to almost zero, while around 60% of water requirement is met through recycled water. The Company also encourages business partners to use techniques for water conservation; for instance, service workshops use a dry-wash technique to eliminate the use of water for car washing.”
The Company is committed to promote road safety in the country, highlighting about the Company’s road safety initiatives during FY 2018-19, Mr. Ayukawasaid, “In the area of road safety, the Company, in partnership with Delhi Police, has implemented an advanced Traffic Safety Management System on an important urban arterial road in Delhi to capture traffic light and speed violations through cameras. The Company has also partnered with the Transport Department of Delhi to set up 12 Automated Driving Test Centres to reform the drivers’ licence issuance system thereby making it more transparent, stringent and efficient.”
