NTPC spends Rs. 285 Cr towards CSR programs, touches 10 Lakh lives

NEW DELHI: Public sector organisation NTPC Limited spent Rs. 285.46 Crore during the financial year 2018-19 towards CSR initiatives, which surpassed the prescribed two percent amount of Rs. 237.01 Crore, thus achieving a CSR spend of 2.41%.

During the year, about 500 villages and more than 450 schools have been benefitted by various CSR initiatives at different locations. CSR initiatives have touched, in one way or the other, the lives of around 10 lakh people, residing at remote locations.

Preference for CSR & Sustainability activities is being given to local areas around Company’s operations, ensuring that majority CSR funds are spent for activities in local areas. However, considering Inclusive Growth and Environment Sustainability and to supplement Government effort, activities are also taken up anywhere in the country.

As per the report, eight meetings of the Committee for CSR & Sustainability were held during the year. CSR committee is chaired by Dr. Gauri Trivedi, an Independent Director who attended only 4 meetings.

Broad areas of the CSR activities include – Education & skill development, Swachh Vidhyalya Abhiyaan, Health care and Sanitation, Rural Development, Protection of National Culture and Heritage, Capacity Building, Women Empowerment, Roads and Infrastructure strengthening, Providing Drinking Water, Art and Culture and Sports – Biodiversity, Tree Plantation, Waste management, Environmental Studies, Promotion of Renewable Energy and Water management.

As per Allotment Agreement with Ministry of Coal, scheduled target for coal production from the three blocks i.e. Talaipalli, Chatti-Bariatu and Kerendari is Nov’19. In the five coal blocks i.e. Pakri-Barwadih, Dulanga, Talaipalli, Chatti-Bariatu & Kerandari, on community development / CSR activities, Company has incurred an expenditure about Rs. 25.5 crore in the FY 2018-19 (Cumulative expenditure more than Rs. 126 crore) which has helped in improving the socio-economic conditions of the local community.

Company has also implemented Sustainable Development projects at its stations and in the neighboring areas as part of Sustainable Development Plan FY 2018-19 (in accordance with CSR & SD policy). Major activities carried out under this plan included massive plantation of trees and its maintenance, installation of rooftop Solar PV around power stations on public utilities buildings and on schools, vermicomposting / Bio-Methanation plant / Paper re-cycling machines. Few activities under bio-diversity conservation taken up are conservation of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles and study on bio-productivity of Gangetic Dolphin at Kahalgaon Station.

An expenditure of Rs. 34.42 Crore was incurred on these SD projects during FY 2018-19.

Break-up of the CSR expenses under major heads is as under: