SPB Limited’s CSR spending in FY2025-26 focused on education, healthcare, rural infrastructure, clean drinking water, and sustainable farming initiatives across Tamil Nadu.

NEW DELHI (India CSR): Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited (SPB), one of India’s established paper manufacturers, reported a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure of Rs 6.43 crore during the financial year 2025-26. The spending was directed toward several community welfare initiatives across Tamil Nadu, including education, healthcare, rural development, drinking water supply, women empowerment, and sustainable agriculture.

Admissions Open for BBA in CSR, Sustainability and ESG

According to the company’s annual report, the CSR initiatives were carried out mainly around the operational regions of Erode, Namakkal, and Tirunelveli districts. The report highlights that the projects were designed to improve access to basic services and strengthen local infrastructure in nearby communities.

Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited’s CSR activities were undertaken in line with the provisions of Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, which requires eligible companies to spend at least 2% of their average net profits on social development activities.

CSR Obligation and Actual Spending

The annual report states that Seshasayee Paper and Boards had an average net profit of Rs 325.67 crore during the preceding three financial years. Based on this calculation, Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited’s prescribed CSR obligation for FY2025-26 stood at Rs 6.51 crore.

After adjusting excess CSR spending from previous years amounting to Rs 16.81 lakh, Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited’s net CSR obligation was calculated at approximately Rs 6.35 crore.

However, Seshasayee Paper and Boards spent more than the required amount during the year. The total CSR expenditure reached Rs 6,42,80,000, exceeding the obligation by around Rs 8.26 lakh. According to the report, the excess amount will be carried forward and adjusted against future CSR obligations as permitted under CSR rules.

The report further notes that Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited did not report any unspent CSR amount for the financial year.

Key Facts Table: SPB Limited’s CSR spending in FY2025-26

Key Facts	Details
Company Name	Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited (SPB)
Financial Year	FY2025-26
Total CSR Spending	Rs 6.43 crore
Prescribed CSR Obligation	Rs 6.51 crore
Excess CSR Spent	Rs 8.26 lakh
Main CSR Focus Areas	Education, Healthcare, Rural Development, Drinking Water, Women Empowerment, Sustainability
Education Spending	Over Rs 1 crore for schools and educational infrastructure
School Infrastructure Projects	Rs 1.34 crore for classrooms, toilets, and school buildings
Healthcare Spending	Rs 12.41 lakh for health centres and hospital support
Blood Bank Contribution	Rs 50 lakh for blood bank project in Erode
Drinking Water Projects	Rs 1.03 crore spent on treated drinking water supply
Rural Infrastructure Spending	Rs 58.06 lakh
Tirunelveli Infrastructure Projects	Rs 33.67 lakh
Lift Irrigation Scheme Maintenance	Rs 3.54 lakh
Irrigation Coverage	Nearly 1,500 acres of farmland
Women Welfare Housing Projects	Rs 23.56 lakh
Women Empowerment Support	Rs 10 lakh to Mangayarkarasi Magalir Manram
Heritage Restoration Allocation	Rs 25 lakh
Environmental Initiatives	Farm forestry, plantation programmes, Wet ESP installation
Plantation Programme Coverage	More than 22,000 acres
Seedlings Distributed	Over 14 crore seedlings
CSR Committee Chairperson	Dr. C Chandramouli, IAS (Retd.)
Operational Regions Covered	Erode, Namakkal, and Tirunelveli districts in Tamil Nadu

Education Projects Received Major Support

Education remained one of the largest focus areas under Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited’s CSR programme during FY2025-26. A substantial portion of the CSR allocation was directed toward improving school infrastructure and supporting educational institutions in rural and semi-urban regions.

According to the annual report, SPB spent more than Rs 1 crore on operating schools and providing educational infrastructure support to government institutions.

Seshasayee Paper and Boards also allocated around Rs 1.34 crore toward the construction of classrooms, school buildings, sanitation facilities, and related infrastructure in districts such as Namakkal and Tirunelveli.

The report highlights that these initiatives were aimed at improving learning conditions for children studying in government and aided schools. Several schools in rural areas continue to face shortages of classrooms, toilets, and proper facilities, making infrastructure support an important need.

The spending also covered maintenance and development activities related to educational institutions supported by Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited.

Focus on Rural Healthcare and Medical Assistance

Healthcare emerged as another major area of CSR spending during the year. According to Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited’s annual report, SPB continued operating four Primary Health Care Centres in nearby regions, offering medical treatment and free medicines to local residents.

The report states that around Rs 12.41 lakh was spent on running health centres and supporting medical infrastructure in government hospitals.

One of the notable healthcare contributions during the year was a Rs 50 lakh allocation toward the establishment of a blood bank in Erode district through the Rotary Foundation. The initiative is expected to strengthen emergency healthcare services and improve access to safe blood storage facilities in the region.

Apart from infrastructure support, Seshasayee Paper and Boards also contributed toward medical and educational assistance for economically weaker sections through charitable trusts and welfare organisations.

The annual report further mentions support for vocational training programmes for individuals affected by autism and mental disabilities, reflecting efforts toward inclusive social welfare.

Drinking Water Supply and Rural Infrastructure Development

Access to clean drinking water remained another important focus area in Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited’s CSR activities during FY2025-26.

According to the annual report, SPB spent approximately Rs 1.03 crore on supplying treated drinking water to nearby villages. Water availability continues to be a major concern in several rural parts of Tamil Nadu, especially during summer months.

The report states that the initiative helped support communities located around Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited’s operational areas.

In addition to drinking water projects, Seshasayee Paper and Boards invested around Rs 58.06 lakh in general rural infrastructure development. This included support for community facilities and public infrastructure works.

Another Rs 33.67 lakh was reportedly spent on constructing buildings and other infrastructure facilities in Tirunelveli district.

The report highlights that these projects were intended to improve basic amenities and strengthen community-level infrastructure in underserved areas.

Unique Irrigation Scheme Continues to Support Farmers

One of the most distinctive initiatives mentioned in the CSR report is Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited’s long-running Lift Irrigation Scheme.

According to the annual report, the scheme has been functioning for more than 35 years and uses treated trade effluent water to irrigate agricultural land in nearby regions. The project currently supports irrigation across nearly 1,500 acres of land that was previously considered dry and less productive.

During FY2025-26, Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited spent Rs 3.54 lakh toward maintaining this irrigation project.

The report highlights that the irrigation system supports sugarcane cultivation by local farmers. The produce is supplied to Ponni Sugars, an associate company, creating an integrated rural economy model.

The initiative has often been cited as an example of converting industrial waste into a productive agricultural resource through treatment and reuse mechanisms.

Women Empowerment and Social Welfare Initiatives

Seshasayee Paper and Boards also allocated CSR funds toward social welfare programmes focused on women and vulnerable communities.

According to the annual report, around Rs 23.56 lakh was spent on constructing housing facilities for destitute women and orphaned individuals in Tirunelveli district.

In another initiative, Seshasayee Paper and Boards contributed Rs 10 lakh to Mangayarkarasi Magalir Manram for women empowerment activities and welfare programmes.

The report notes that these projects were aimed at improving social support systems and creating better living conditions for disadvantaged groups.

Apart from women welfare initiatives, support was also extended to charitable institutions working in the areas of education and healthcare for underprivileged communities.

Support for Heritage Conservation

In addition to social development activities, Seshasayee Paper and Boards also contributed toward heritage conservation during the financial year.

According to the report, Rs 25 lakh was allocated for the restoration of historically important buildings in Tamil Nadu.

The spending was made under the CSR category related to protection of national heritage, art, and culture, as permitted under Schedule VII of the Companies Act.

The initiative reflects a growing trend among companies to include cultural preservation within broader CSR frameworks.

Environmental Sustainability and Farmer Support

The annual report also highlighted several environmental sustainability initiatives undertaken during the year.

SPB continued its farm forestry and plantation development programmes in partnership with farmers. According to the report, Seshasayee Paper and Boards supported plantation activities across more than 22,000 acres of land and distributed subsidised seedlings to farmers.

The report states that more than 14 crore seedlings, including eucalyptus and casuarina varieties, have been planted under the programme over time.

The company also collaborated with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University to provide technical guidance and support to farmers associated with plantation activities.

Apart from plantation initiatives, the report highlights investments in pollution control and environmental management systems. During the year, the company reportedly installed a Wet Electrostatic Precipitator (Wet ESP), which helps reduce particulate emissions from industrial operations.

According to the report, the installation made SPB one of the first companies in the Indian paper sector to adopt the technology.

CSR Governance and Monitoring

The annual report states that the CSR activities were monitored by Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited’s CSR Committee constituted by the Board.

The committee was chaired by Dr. C Chandramouli, IAS (Retd.), and included Smt. Sheela Balakrishnan, IAS (Retd.), along with Sri N Gopalaratnam.

According to the report, the committee regularly reviewed project implementation, financial utilisation, and compliance with CSR regulations.

The company also disclosed that its CSR policy and project details are available on its official website as part of transparency and governance practices.

The report further mentions that SPB voluntarily complied with Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) standards despite not being among the mandatory top 1000 listed entities by market capitalisation.

Continued Focus on Community Development

Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited’s CSR spending during FY2025-26 reflects a continued emphasis on community welfare and rural development around its operational areas.

Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited’s annual report highlights a balanced allocation of funds across education, healthcare, infrastructure, water supply, agriculture, and social welfare programmes.

While education and healthcare accounted for a significant share of spending, initiatives such as the Lift Irrigation Scheme and treated drinking water supply indicate a long-term approach toward sustainable rural development.

The company’s total CSR expenditure of Rs 6.43 crore also demonstrates compliance with statutory CSR obligations while extending support to local communities through multiple development projects.

According to the report, the initiatives are expected to continue in the coming years with a focus on improving social infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life in surrounding regions.

FAQs

1. How much did Seshasayee Paper and Boards spend on CSR activities in FY2025-26?

Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited spent Rs 6.43 crore on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities during the financial year 2025-26.

2. What were the major focus areas of SPB’s CSR spending?

Seshasayee Paper and Boards focused on education, healthcare, rural infrastructure, drinking water supply, women empowerment, and sustainable agriculture initiatives.

3. Which districts benefited from SPB’s CSR projects?

According to the annual report, major CSR activities were carried out in Erode, Namakkal, and Tirunelveli districts of Tamil Nadu.

4. How much did SPB spend on education-related projects?

Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited spent more than Rs 1 crore on educational support and around Rs 1.34 crore on school infrastructure projects such as classrooms and toilets.

5. What is SPB’s Lift Irrigation Scheme?

The Lift Irrigation Scheme is a long-running project that uses treated industrial water to irrigate nearly 1,500 acres of farmland, supporting local farmers and agriculture.