Rusen Kumar - Founder and Managing Editor of India CSR

MUMBAI: A USD 17.8 billion multinational Mahindra Group, headquartered in Mumbai, on November 24, 2016 launched the 9th edition of its annual Sustainability Report at their General Executive Board Meeting held here in Mumbai. According to the report, Mahindra Group has invested Rs.185.110 Crore towards various corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes and initiatives during the year 2015-16 less from the Rs.236.41 crore it spent in 2014-15. Group spent Rs.121.14 crore in CSR during the year 2013-14. During the reviewed year again education was most preferred area of working for the corporate social responsibility programmes.

Mahindra’s Social Initiatives and Environmental Commitment

“Mahindra spent on social initiatives, which is above the 2% mandated by the Company Act, in corporate social responsibility projects.”, Mahindra said in a statement. The Mahindra Group has planted 12 lakh trees this year as part of its Project Hariyali.

Sustainability Reporting and External Assurance

In 9th Sustainability Report, the sustainability performance has been reported in line with GRI G4 Accordance Option Core guidelines, the fourth generation in transparent Sustainability reporting, has also reported on the 10 point India Business & Biodiversity Initiative (IBBI) declaration for the first time. The report has been externally assured by KPMG, India.

Structure for Sustainability

Mahindra’s sustainability structure includes Board Committee for CSR, CSR Council, Sustainability Council and Group Sustainability Cell.

Allocation of CSR Spending

Area of Work	CSR Spending in Rs for the Year 2015-16 (Million)
Promotion of Education	1,279.80
Promoting Preventive Healthcare & Sanitation	267.83
Gender Equality/Old Age Homes, Day Care Centre and other such Facilities for Senior Citizens	10.85
Environment Sustainability	166.38
Rural Development	104.47
Others	14.79
Culture	3.41
Sports	3.57
Total	1,851.10

Mahindra Group Sustainability Report 2015-16, See Page No. 20

Community Commitments and Impact

This reflects Mahindra’s continued commitment towards the wider community. Some of the programs by which Mahindra gives back to society are Nanhi Kali, Lifeline Express, watershed development, Hunnar, amongst others. In the past year, 120,466 Nanhi Kalis got access to education. Over 38,862 employees across the Group contributed more than 253,119 person hours towards employee-driven social initiatives under the ESOPs program (Employee Social Options).

Chairman’s Statement on Community Engagement

Commitments to Communities

Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group said, “India is in the throes of an agrarian crisis and farmer suicides are alarmingly high. To help address this issue, the Group launched ‘Seed the Rise’- India’s largest crowdfunded CSR effort. This digital initiative raises funds from urban centres for the welfare of farmers, and the total amount collected is matched by the Group. Rs 10 million was raised from donors in a period of 40 days. Another initiative is our start-up Trringo, through which we are developing an ecosystem of organised rental of farm equipment in rural India. The objective is to provide the benefits of mechanisation to economically marginalised farmers. As part of our community outreach, we are committed to help the government in addressing city cleanliness issues and are working closely with Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai on a comprehensive, four-phased ‘Swachhmev Jayate’ exercise.”

Impactful Sustainability Projects

“Through our Integrated Watershed Management Project (IWMP), we are rejuvenating water resources and empowering over 20,000 people in 32 villages across Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, with assured water availability, opportunities for livelihood and better standard of living. This programme has received the Ninth Aqua Foundation ‘Excellence Award for Promoting Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development’.”, he said.

“I am also proud to share that Mahindra & Mahindra Limited is the first company globally to sign the EP-100 programme launched by The Climate Group. The programme aims to get some of the world’s most influential businesses to commit to doubling their energy productivity and maximising the economic output from each unit used, by 2030. Within our locations, we are reconfiguring the energy mix to include energy from abundant sources. We have commissioned solar power plants worth 2.5 MWp this year. Beyond our walls, Susten, our solar EPC vertical executed external projects of 544 MWp. The Mahindra Group has planted 1.23 million trees this year as part of Project Hariyali, our continued endeavour to add to India’s green cover. This brings the total number of trees planted since the inception of this initiative to over 9 million.”, Anand Mahindra said.

Implementation and Channels for CSR Spending

CSR fund has been spent through its not for profit organizations Mahindra Education Trust and Mahindra Foundation, Mahindra Foundation-USA, Tech Mahindra Foundation and Mahindra Educational Institutions.

Mahindra’s Global Presence and Industry Influence

Mahindra provides employment opportunities to over 200,000 people in over 100 countries. Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership. In addition, Mahindra enjoys a strong presence in the agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel, commercial vehicles and two wheeler industries.