India CSR Interviewed the Chairman and Managing Director of NLC India Limited on the company’s CSR journey, its key projects, and future plans. Excerpts:
New Delhi (India CSR): India CSR recently engaged in a comprehensive discussion with the Chairman and Managing Director of NLC India Limited, exploring the intricate details of the company’s journey in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The conversation provided a profound insight into the significant projects that the company has undertaken, emphasizing their commitment to social and environmental well-being. The dialogue not only highlighted the company’s current endeavors but also shed light on their future plans and strategies, revealing their aspirations to further their impact and contribution to societal development. This in-depth interview offered a closer look at how NLC India Limited integrates responsible business practices and community advancement, reinforcing their role as a catalyst for positive change in the industrial sector.
NLC India Limited has a long and impressive history of CSR initiatives, dating back to before CSR norms were introduced in 2014. Can you tell us more about the company’s vision, mission, and objectives in the CSR domain?
Absolutely. At NLC India Limited, CSR is not just about compliance; it’s a core part of our identity and values. Our vision is to emerge as a leading Mining and Power Company, with a strong focus on social responsiveness that accelerates sustainable and inclusive growth. Our CSR mission is deeply aligned with our corporate mission, which is to enhance the quality of life for the less privileged in society, eradicate poverty, and maintain ecological balance. To achieve these goals, our CSR objectives include improving education facilities, enhancing health and hygiene, promoting self-employment among youth, developing local infrastructure, and actively participating in government efforts to uplift the less privileged.
That’s a comprehensive approach to CSR. Can you highlight some key projects that NLC India Limited has undertaken in the past few years?
Certainly. We’ve been involved in several impactful projects. One of our flagship initiatives, known as “Project JalParyapt,” involved desilting and rejuvenating community water bodies and lakes in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. This project not only improved groundwater levels but also benefited around 4 lakh rural people. We desilted 43 community water bodies at a cost of Rs. 83 crore from FY 2014-15 to FY 2020-21.
In healthcare, we’ve strengthened infrastructure at Primary Health Centers to provide free health check-ups and established a Kidney Dialysis facility serving around 50 patients daily. We’ve also installed 17 Oxygen generation plants to support the fight against COVID-19 in various states.
For children and women, we support education, rehabilitation for special needs, and sanitation projects. We’ve constructed over 1,275 toilet blocks in schools and trained underprivileged women in dress designing, empowering them economically.
We’ve also undertaken several initiatives in aspirational districts across India, including constructing toilet blocks, establishing Mini Science Centres, improving school infrastructure, and supporting digital access in remote areas.
These projects are indeed making a significant impact. Can you tell us about the establishment of Ananda Illam (Home for elders) at Neyveli and its significance?
Certainly. Ananda Illam is a unique initiative and the first of its kind for any PSU in the country. It provides a blissful life to the elderly, offering opportunities for togetherness, sharing, caring, and even site-seeing tours. M/s Help Age India operates the home under an MoU. Admission is open to all, including the general public and retired employees. We provide all necessary facilities, including medical care through our company-run general hospital. If higher-level medical intervention is required, we arrange for it through JIPMER Hospital in Pondicherry.
The impact of your CSR initiatives is quite evident. Could you share some of the specific outcomes and their impact on communities?
Certainly. Our CSR initiatives have transformed lives in many ways. Through Project JalParyapt, we desilted 43 water bodies, benefitting around 4 lakh people and improving groundwater levels. Our infrastructure improvements in government schools have resulted in quality education for students. Building toilet blocks in 567 schools has not only improved cleanliness but also enhanced hygiene in these institutions. Imparting education to approximately 5000 children annually has significantly improved their quality of life.
Looking ahead, what are your future plans in the CSR domain, and how do they align with broader sustainability goals?
Our future plans in CSR align with three key objectives: Social, Environmental, and Economic sustainability. We aim to sustain our image as a responsible CPSE by continuing our CSR programs, supporting economic growth, and maintaining a positive reputation. Environmentally, we are committed to clean power generation, pollution control, and ecological balance. Economically, we believe in contributing to the growth and prosperity of the nation and the communities we serve. With the growing emphasis on ESG principles, we intend to combine CSR initiatives with ESG actions for holistic sustainability.
With the increasing focus on sustainability, many companies are committing to net-zero targets. Does NLC India Limited have any such targets, and if so, how are you planning to achieve them?
Yes, we are actively working on our Net Zero targets. However, our approach is unique because we are primarily energy generators. We believe that our trajectory towards green energy targets will be guided by our renewable energy generation targets through RPO and RGO. We are also mindful of the Just Transition, ensuring the right mix of renewable and conventional
How does NLC India Ltd integrate sustainability into its core business activities, and what are the key areas of focus in its Green Agenda?
NLC India Ltd (NLCIL) places a strong emphasis on sustainability and integrates it into its core business activities. The company follows a Green Agenda that prioritizes People, Planet, and Profit, emphasizing the integration of society, environment, and economy. Key focus areas include eco restoration in mines, afforestation, rainwater harvesting, waste utilization, biodiversity conservation, water and energy management, pollution control, and climate change mitigation. NLCIL also invests in employee training in environmental management and adheres to safety, quality, and energy efficiency standards.
How does NLCIL contribute to sustainable development in the coal sector, and what initiatives does it undertake to minimize its environmental footprint in this industry?
NLCIL actively contributes to sustainable development in the coal sector by implementing various initiatives. It places a significant focus on utilizing surplus mine water for irrigation, drinking water, and industrial purposes in the surrounding areas. The company also promotes eco-parks, eco-mine tourism, bamboo plantation, and the extraction and use of sand from overburden to minimize waste generation and environmental impact. Additionally, NLCIL has ventured into renewable energy with 1370 MW of solar power plants and 51 MW of wind power plants, making it the first CPSE to cross 1 GW capacity in solar power generation in India. These efforts reflect NLCIL’s commitment to environmental sustainability in the coal sector.
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