Thecsrjournal App Store
Thecsrjournal Google Play Store
May 1, 2025
Home Blog Page 244

What is CSR?

By
Hency Thacker
-
It is no longer enough for businesses to simply buy and sell their products and services without considering the world in which they operate. The term “corporate social responsibility” came into common use in the late 1960s and early 1970s after many multinational corporations formed the term stakeholders, which meant those on whom organization activities have an impact. It was used to describe corporate owners beyond shareholders as a result of an influential book by R. Edward Freeman, Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach in 1984. Companies must voluntarily do business in an economically, socially and environmentally responsible manner to be sustainable over a long period of time. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to business practices involving initiatives that benefit society.
Sunil Misser, Head of Global Sustainability Practice, PwC  said, “Corporate social responsibility is not just about managing, reducing and avoiding risk, it is about creating opportunities, generating improved performance, making money and leaving the risks far behind.”

Definition of CSR

According to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Corporate Social Responsibility is defined as a business management concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and interactions with their stakeholders. CSR is generally understood as being the way through which a company achieves a balance of economic, environmental and social imperatives, while at the same time addressing the expectations of shareholders and stakeholders.
The distinction between CSR and Philanthropy/Charity is that CSR is part of a business strategy. Business operations, supply chain, and human resource are all affected by a company’s CSR policy, which is not true for its philanthropic work.
The goal of CSR is to embrace responsibility for the company’s actions and encourage a positive impact through its activities on the environment, consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders and all other members of the public sphere.
To understand the essence of CSR, read the article on the levels of CSR in the link.

How did CSR start in India?

CSR has been intrinsic to Indian culture since ancient times. The concept of CSR has been visible in Mauryan history as well where philosophers like Kautilya emphasized on ethical practices and principles while conducting business. CSR has been informally practised in ancient times in the form of charity to the poor and disadvantaged. Indian scriptures have also mentioned the importance of sharing one’s earning with the deprived section of society. In India, religion has also played a major role in promoting the concept of responsibility of businesses and citizens towards nature, animals and disadvantaged sections of the society.
India being an agro-based country after the independence, followed such an economic model that the village as a unit was self-sufficient in every sense. The traders, farmers and the artisans ensured that there was enough employment, food and shelter for every individual of the village. No individual would go hungry or shelter-less. The community was strong enough to look after each other as well as the biodiversity around them.
This trait started reflecting in bigger businesses as they emerged. The businesses essentially invested in the community surrounding them, their wellness as well as their happiness. This was a way of the businessmen to give back to the community, and it was profitable to the business itself as happy and healthy employees equal good business productivity.
With the advent of the industrial revolution, industrialist families such as Tatas, Birlas, Modis, Godrej, Bajajs and Singhanias supported and spent huge amounts for public welfare under their CSR expenditure, by setting up foundations, educational institutions and healthcare organisations.
The concept of trusteeship provided by Mahatma Gandhi further imprinted CSR in the DNAs of Indian business leaders of the time. According to this concept, capitalists should act as trustees (not owners) of their property and conduct themselves in a socially responsible way.
Mahatma said, “Supposing I have come by a fair amount of wealth—either by way of legacy or by means of trade and industry—I must know that all that wealth does not belong to me; what belongs to me is the right to an honourable livelihood, no better than that enjoyed by millions of others. The rest of my wealth belongs to the community and must be used for the welfare of the community.”
The evolution of CSR has been very intrinsic to the cultural development and evolution of Indian society. This is why it was not very difficult for India Inc. to accept mandatory CSR law.

Is CSR compulsory for companies in India?

India became the first country in the world to make CSR compulsory. In India, Corporate Social Responsibility has been made mandatory through provisions under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. According to the law, a company needs to spend at least 2% of their average net profit made during the 3 immediately preceding financial years for CSR activities.

Who is eligible for CSR?

The CSR law or more popularly known as the CSR mandate, which came into effect from April 2014, applies to every company registered under the Companies Act, 2013, and any other previous companies law qualifying following conditions.
– Having a net worth of rupees five hundred crores or more, or
– Having a turnover of rupees one thousand crores or more, or
– Having a net profit of rupees five crores or more, during a financial year.

How does CSR work in India?

The eligible companies are required to formulate a CSR Committee, in order to carry out the programs or activities as approved by the Committee. The programs or activities under CSR in India are carried out through a registered trust, society or company. As per the law, the CSR activities that only benefit employees of the companies and their families do not qualify as CSR expenditure.
In case a company fails to spend the said amount within a year, it will have to transfer the unutilised CSR funds to an escrow account and ensure its utilisation within three years. If a company fails to do even that, it will have to transfer the balance amount to the National CSR Fund.
Since its rollout in 2014, CSR expenditure in India has continued to increase year-on-year. In fact, in the year 2017-2018, for the first time, the amount spent by companies exceeded the prescribed expenditure. The cumulative expenditure by the top-100 companies listed on the National Stock Exchange from 2014-2015 to 2017-2018 is about Rs. 26,385 crore as per the KPMG Report. Sectors such as health and sanitation, rural development, education and environment, have recorded the highest number of funds.
The implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility in India has brought various socio-economic and political challenges to good governance under one umbrella and sought for interventions by India Inc. to address the same. While the Act itself has facilitated this process, India Inc. continues to explore the difference in their own style of business and what they are expected as part of CSR in India. At the same time, CSR has also become a space for active policy practitioners and social impact organisations that are trying to find their space in different ways.

What is NOT CSR?

According to the law, the contribution of any amount directly or indirectly to any political party, shall not be considered as CSR activity in India. Similarly, the CSR projects or programs or activities that benefit only the employees of the company and their families shall not be considered as CSR activities. In addition to this, any activity which is not in the form of a project cannot be qualified as CSR of a company. Similarly, any CSR project which has not officially been approved by the board cannot qualify as a CSR initiative of that organisation. To understand What is NOT CSR in detail, read the article in the link.

How is CSR calculated in India?

No initiative can be claimed successful or unsuccessful as long as there is a scale to measure it against. Impact measurement is extremely important in CSR considering the large amount of funds that are involved in it. There is no standard framework provided by the law for impact measurement of a company’s CSR. This provides corporates with ample space to frame their own impact measurement strategies.
In order to maintain transparency in the CSR spending, the companies also indulge in reporting of their CSR initiatives. This allows the critical eye of the media to inspect and investigate the real impact of a CSR initiative.

Is CSR successful in India?

The CSR mandate is a celebrated law in India. Year over year, the companies have spent more than 2% of their net profits over CSR. The businesses have moved beyond signing cheques for charitable causes and are taking an active interest in causes such as skill training, healthcare, ethical business operations, environmental sustainability among others.
However, it has been observed that the amount spent is concentrated in a few states, leaving out the states that require more development in India. Additionally, the sector-wise spend too is not linear with some sectors taking away a larger share of the funds than others. This has brought about discrepancies in national development. Additionally, government interference sometimes causes a slowdown in CSR projects. This is a major contradiction of the intent behind the law. In order to make the CSR law success and optimally utilise the CSR funds for the social and economic development of the country, these loopholes need to be addressed.

What are the types of CSR activities in India?

According to the 8th schedule of the Companies Act 2013, the types of CSR activities that are qualified under the act for the companies to contribute to are:
1. Eradicating Hunger, Poverty and Malnutrition
2. Promoting Education
3. Promoting Gender Equality
4. CSR initiatives related to the environment
5. Protection of national heritage, art and culture
6. Measures can be taken for the benefit and support of armed forces veterans, war widows and families
7. Contributions to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund or any other fund set up by the central government, for welfare, development and relief of the scheduled caste, tribes, other backward classes, women and minorities.
8. Contributions or funds provided to the development of technology located within the central government approved academic institutions.
9. Contributions can be made towards rural development projects and slum area development.
These are types of CSR only as per Indian law. Globally there are many other initiatives that are included under the purview of CSR. To understand different types of CSR, read the article in the link.

Recognition of CSR activities in India

CSR initiatives by India Inc. is officially recognised by the government of India through National CSR Awards. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India has instituted National Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards to recognize companies that have made a positive impact on the society through their innovative & sustainable CSR initiatives.
The objectives of the National CSR Awards include:
– Recognize the companies that have positively impacted both business and society by taking a strategic approach to CSR through a collaborative program.
– Recognize the companies that are leading transformation by integrating sustainability in their core business model.
– Recognize companies for implementing measures for conservation and sustainable management of the biodiversity and ecosystem in the value chain.
– Identifying innovative approaches and employing applications and technologies that will help to build robust CSR programs to further the cause of inclusive and sustainable development.
In addition to this, each year, The CSR Journal conducts The CSR Journal Excellence Awards in order to recognise the CSR initiatives by India Inc.

Role of CSR in India

India is a vast country with a huge population density. It houses the largest number of people living below the poverty line. This is why there is always a shortage of resources and fight for it.
Most numbers of polluted cities in the world are in India. This has a major impact on the health of the people living in the country.
In lieu of these social issues, India is a welfare state. The government keeps making initiatives to aid the poor of the country. Education, health, clean environment, safe place of work have all been recognised as fundamental rights of citizens as per the constitution of India. However, there are always gaps in the government service, which is why often it is unable to benefit all the poor people at the ground level at the right time.
The CSR law works towards filling these gaps. With its expertise in organisational skills, a CSR initiative works in an efficient manner, ensuring that the beneficiaries are affected precisely at the right time. It helps in the holistic development of a society.
Other than this Corporate Social Responsibility also plays a major role in maintaining the communitarian spirit of the country. It encourages participation from all sections of society. It indulges different kinds of organisations in a collaborative framework with a common goal of development. It encourages in developing the spirit of nationalism among the capitalists as well as the community.
CSR plays a major role in addressing the mental health of office going young population of the country. CSR initiatives of a company allow employee participation, which in turn, can work wonders for team building, inculcating leadership and imbibing a sense of responsibility. The happiness factor is a bonus to this.
Also Read: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
It also plays a major role in bringing about financial inclusion, social inclusion, education and behavioural change among people of India. While the government can formulate policies for various issues, it is CSR that brings about acceptance of the laws among people.
Corporate Social Responsibility has an opportunity to support the innovative minds of the country as per the law. It can, therefore, support various start-ups in India who can generate more employment as well as solve the social problems of the country. Most importantly, it encourages the youth to take more risks to work to fulfil their dreams along with others and contribute to national development.
Niall Fitzerald, Former CEO, Unilever said, “Corporate social responsibility is a hard-edged business decision. Not because it is a nice thing to do or because people are forcing us to do it… because it is good for our business.”

Scope of CSR in India

CSR of a company is managed by the brightest minds. A company who is spending a large amount of its funds wants to always ensure that their money is spent well, out of force of habit. In order to achieve this, it is executed by learned and experienced people. Therefore, it has a huge responsibility and scope for the future.
While India is growing at a rapid pace, it is not doing very well in the field of research. Investment in research in education, technology, medicine, space technology, policy formulation and so on is required to encourage indigenous solutions for indigenous problems. CSR can become a cause of revolution in the field of research. India suffers from the problem of brain-drain. CSR has the potential to prevent that from happening.
CSR can play a significant role in addressing the problem of interoperability among government agencies. This will, in turn, improve the efficiency of government services.
CSR has an opportunity to encourage the informal sector as well as the citizens to indulge in social as well as national development. It can work towards helping the citizens of India realise and act upon their fundamental duties and thus educate the population on being responsible citizens. 

The Ultimate CSR Report of Tata Motors

By
The CSR Journal
-
The Ultimate CSR Report of Tata Motors
Tata Motors Limited is a leading global automobile manufacturer of cars, utility vehicles, pick-ups, trucks and buses. Tata Motors’ focus on engineering and tech-enabled automotive solutions, catering to the future of mobility, has made it India’s market leader in commercial vehicles and one of the top four in the passenger vehicles market. From its brand promise of ‘Connecting Aspirations’ arises the Company’s innovation efforts that aim at developing pioneering technologies that are both sustainable and well suited to the evolving aspirations of markets and customers.
In FY 2023-24, Tata Motors spent a total of Rs. 21.59 crore on its CSR initiatives, empowering the lives of over 10.03 lakh people across the country. Moreover, employees of Tata Motors volunteered for 1.17 lakh hours, improving the reach of the company’s CSR. Tata Motors, in FY 24, through its CSR interventions, could reach one million plus underserved community members across the country.
Tata Motors’ CSR initiatives are strategically aligned with the Common Minimum Programme (CMP), ensuring that their developmental efforts benefit communities across India while also catering to local interests through Location Specific Projects (LSP). When it comes to CSR, they specifically focus on health, education, employability and environmental protection.
Tata Motors’ CSR also ensures a due share for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes (SC and ST), women, and encourages employees to contribute to social causes through volunteering and disaster response activities.

1. Healthcare

1.1 Arogya

Tata Motors has been actively engaged in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, with a strong focus on healthcare. Their flagship program in this domain is Arogya, a health initiative designed to combat malnutrition among children aged 0 to 6 years.
Under the Arogya program, Tata Motors strives to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of the community. A significant portion of the initiative involves providing supplementary diets and supplements to address the nutritional needs of young children during their formative years. Beyond just the provision of resources, the program is geared towards fostering behavioural changes within communities, particularly targeting young mothers and parents.
Awareness sessions play a crucial role in the Arogya initiative, aiming to educate and empower communities on essential aspects of healthcare. Additionally, the program extends support through antenatal and postnatal services, recognizing the critical role these stages play in shaping the health of both mothers and infants.
To further enhance the reach and impact of the Arogya program, Tata Motors has implemented curative healthcare services. These services include diagnosis, administration of generic medicines, and consultations, ensuring that communities receive comprehensive and accessible healthcare.
The Arogya initiative has benefited over 5.7 lakh healthcare beneficiaries as claimed by the company in its latest Annual Report. This commitment underscores the company’s dedication to addressing health challenges and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.

2. Education Initiatives

The Indian Education System is one of the largest in the world, with more than 1.5 million schools, 8.5 million teachers and 250 million children from varied socio-economic backgrounds. The pandemic resulted in 250 million students being affected due to school closures.

2.1 Vidyadhanam Programme

Tata Motors’ Vidyadhanam initiative employs a comprehensive strategy to enhance the learning outcomes of secondary and higher secondary government school students.
Vidyadhanam encompasses various targeted programs to uplift the education standards. Specifically, the programme includes special coaching classes for secondary school students and coaching sessions for those preparing for Medical and Engineering entrance examinations at the senior secondary level. In addition to academic support, Vidyadhanam extends need-based scholarships to meritorious students facing financial challenges.
To create a holistic educational experience, Tata Motors conducts sports and co-curricular activities, along with sessions on value-based life skills. The programme also addresses gaps in school infrastructure, contributing to the establishment of a positive and conducive learning environment in government-run public schools.
In the FY 2024, over 1.5 lakh children have been educated through the Vidyadhanam programme.

2.2 ENABLE Initiative

The Engineering and NEET Admission Bridge Accelerated Learning Engagement (ENABLE) initiative of Tata Motors is an e-enabled remote learning programme that grooms and coaches students of Standards XI and XII from 477 Jawhar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) across the country to appear for JEE and NEET competitive examinations, for Engineering and Medical colleges, respectively.

Enable Initiative Tata Motors

JNVs are co-educational free residential government schools that house talented and meritorious students from Rural India and are among the highest-ranking CBSE schools. Its central governing committee, the Navodaya Samiti (NVS), has successfully nurtured academic aspirations among the students by ensuring 100% of their students clear the CBSE board exams. However, training JNV students for leading professional institutes was a major challenge because private coaching classes for medical entrance tests and IIT JEE is unaffordable for the students. Tata Motors acknowledged this gap and joined hands with NVS to provide JEE and NEET coaching to all JNV students from the science steam across India via the virtual mode
It began with a residential Centre for Excellence in Puducherry in 2014, later expanding to ~80 plus schools in 2019 by offering advanced coaching during the vacations (Summer and Winter) with rigorous doubt-solving undertaken during the rest of the year. This programme went entirely virtual in 2021 post the Pandemic. Remote learning offered by Tata Motors now reaches 477 JNVs in 26 states and eight UTs. It was Tata Motors’ agility in responding to the lockdown and school closure that led to the inception of this remote learning model that addressed the learning gaps and digital divide among JNV students.
The teachers, deployed by knowledge partners Avanti Fellows and Ex Navodayan Foundation, broadcasted the classes to students’ homes with homework and weekly tests during the COVID lockdown and the at-home learning phase. Now with in-school learning commencing, classes are conducted and broadcast live through YouTube by master teachers. The programme reaches out to each individual to ensure attendance and monitor performance. Telegram app and WhatsApp are used extensively for grouping, communicating, doubt-solving, etc. Teachers are constantly available online to respond to the queries of students.

3. Employability Initiatives

India’s employability index improved from 45.97% in 2020-21 to 46.2% in 2021-22. The gender gap in employability is also improving, with the pool of employable women steadily rising 51.44% of women are highly employable, while 45.97% of men are highly employable.
Tata Motors provides employability skill training, especially to youth who dropped out of school in three areas; Auto and technical Trades, Non-Auto Training as well as Agri and allied Training.

3.1 Kaushalya Programme

Tata Motors demonstrates its commitment to skill development through the CSR program, Kaushalya, which specifically targets unemployed youth. The program encompasses a range of skill development activities in auto trades, non-auto trades, agriculture, and allied activities.
Operating under the ‘Learn and Earn’ model, Kaushalya focuses on training students with ITI/12th pass background, tailoring the curriculum to meet the needs of the automotive industry. Upon completing the diploma, these students find employment opportunities with auto dealers, retail networks, vendors, and channel partners.
In the fiscal year 2024, 31,500 trainees benefited from the initiative. Notably, the program emphasizes gender diversity, with 23% of the enrolled students being female.
Beyond youth skill development, Tata Motors extends its CSR outreach to community-based groups of women and farmers. These initiatives provide opportunities for these groups to generate supplemental income through agriculture, contributing to broader community welfare.

3.2 Learn Earn and Progress ( LEAP )

The Learn Earn and Progress Programme (LEAP) imparts automotive skills (service technician) to youth from underprivileged communities. A flagship programme of the Company has grown from being available at two institutes when initiated in 2013-14 to 2021 being available at 60 institutes, with a footprint across 16 states. Preference is given to youth who have dropped out from Standards X and XII, who, if they remain unskilled and unemployed, may be susceptible to unlawful activities.
Deployed via a public-private partnership model, LEAP is offered at member Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) under Skills for Progress (SKIP), Tata Motors dealers, and Authorised Service Stations (TASS).
Trainees receive theoretical knowledge at the ITIs for three months, followed by nine months of on-the-job training with a stipend provided by Tata Motors and TASS. Once they complete their training, youth are assessed and certified by the Automotive Skill Development Council (ASDC).

3.3 Skilling the Rural Women

Rural women were forced to compete with men for daily wage labour opportunities because of the job losses, rise in unpaid domestic work, limited or no work opportunities for the men of the house and limited mobility Covid-19 pandemic. Families were surviving on scarce resources, and the sudden influx of job seekers within the village after the return of migrants imposed inordinate mental and physical trauma on rural women. The women of the Ahmedabad district near the Sanand plant of Tata Motors were no different.
The adverse economic impact on them was the driver for the Company to bolster an already popular Non-Auto Trade Training programme of the Company, to provide much-needed succour. The Company’s skill development and vocational training courses helped women in the district become employable, benefit from opportunities and attain financial independence.
The Company began actively promoting training under Kaushalya’s Sewing Machine Operator (SMO) programme in the villages under the Bavla & Viramgam blocks of Ahmedabad district. Initially, only a handful of girls and women obtained permission from their families to enrol despite many being willing to join. Their families were apprehensive about them living away from home for the residential training programme. Some even doubted their ability to acquire a new skill. But once the Tata Motors team counselled their parents and explained the future prospects of the women to their families, persuading them to enrol at the training centre, a wondrous journey began for the women.
Any apprehensions that the trainees held of their own capabilities were erased on the first day of training, which focussed on instilling confidence in these rural women and making them believe in their basic abilities. Once all impediments to their progress were removed, the women thrived; their zeal to learn saw them attempt a wide range of garments in addition to acquiring the skill of running a business.
A group of confident 215 women finished the Sewing Machine Operator training successfully, marking the first step towards self-reliance. Of them, 102 were recruited by Arvind Mills at a starting salary of Rs. 9000/- per month. But once again, they faced the challenge of obtaining permission from their families to go out to work. Their struggle to break the shackles of dogma was compounded by the daily struggle to get to work and spend the day away from home. But as the women grew and began earning, these challenges soon ebbed away as family members appreciated the financial benefits of a stable income, and the members of the community acknowledged the benefit of having confident, upwardly mobile, aware women within them.

4. Environment Conservation Initiatives

Vasundhara – Making India greener

The company is working to minimise its impact on the environment through a range of green initiatives like promotion of renewable resources, creation of carbon sinks through large-scale sapling plantation, construction of water conservation structures and raising awareness among communities.
In the FY 24, 11.3 lakh trees have been planted under this initiative while 1.47 lakh people have been sensitised on environmental issues.
Tata Motors has developed a unique, nationwide participatory model to plant over one million trees to benefit 4000 farmers across its locations. Partners in this process are the Government, beneficiary communities, NGO partners and the Company. The aspirational target is to ensure that in the next five to 10 years high, yielding fruit trees begin reaping economic benefits for tribal communities, providing them with food and income security.

Amrutdhara – For drinking water

The Amrutdhara programme focuses on ensuring water security in rural areas and tribal hamlets with an aim to reduce seasonal diseases like scabies and dysentery, along with improved water, health and sanitation practices. The project has also reduced the burden on women, who previously had to travel long distances to fetch water, resulting in increased girls’ enrolment in rural schools.
Tata Motors partnered with Government of Maharashtra to address the needs of the water stressed regions in Palghar and Pune belt.

Planet Regenerate

Tata Motors has adopted the strategy of ‘Planet Regenerate’ to positively transform the impact of its business on the climate, on resource use and on nature and biodiversity. The company aims to be carbon net zero by 2039 through the decarbonisation of our manufacturing and operations, our supply chain and vehicles in use. To provide a pathway towards this long-term aim, the company has published science-based targets in March 2022, for ambitious CO2e reduction by 2030.

5. Rural Development

In rural development, the company deploys the Partnership Convergence Model, whereby we leverage the available resources of an area and drive development through convergence with government schemes. It also utilises government schemes like MNREGS to make an impact at scale across India. The company has taken up Integrated Village Development Programme (IVDP) in the states of Jharkhand and Maharashtra.
In the year 2023-24, 10,03,943 beneficiaries were covered through the Company’s CSR programmes.

 

SECL advances its digital push during Special Campaign 4.0

By
The CSR Journal
-
SECL advances its digital push during Special Campaign 4.0
Chhattisgarh, India: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), Coal India’s second-largest subsidiary, has made significant strides in its digital transformation as part of the Special Campaign 4.0. With a focus on innovation, inclusivity, and operational efficiency, SECL has introduced a series of digital initiatives to streamline processes, enhance collaboration, and foster a culture of continuous learning within the organization.

CMD Dashboard: A Unified Platform for Task Monitoring and Collaboration

SECL’s CMD Dashboard is a comprehensive online platform designed to monitor various tasks and projects across SECL’s headquarters and operational areas. The dashboard enables users to raise requirements with any department and track their requests in real-time. It provides an overview of new, in-progress, and delayed tasks, fostering greater transparency, collaboration, and efficiency across SECL’s inter-company operations.

Digital Land Acquisition Process with LAMS

SECL has also digitalized its land acquisition process through the Land Acquisition Management System (LAMS), which simplifies and expedites the traditionally complex land acquisition procedures. Notably, Khodri village, under the Kusmunda megaproject, has become one of the first villages to complete an end-to-end digital land acquisition using LAMS.

Abhimanyu E-Learning Platform: Fostering a Culture of Knowledge and Skill Development

Following the successful launch of the Abhimanyu E-magazine last year, which promoted knowledge sharing among SECL employees, SECL is now introducing the Abhimanyu E-learning Platform. This platform offers employees an online space for collective learning, knowledge-sharing and skill development enhancing their professional development.

Online Grievance Redressal: Enhancing Citizen-Centric Services

In line with Special Campaign 4.0’s focus on citizen-centric practices, SECL is proactively advancing its online grievance redressal systems. With no pending grievances over 30 days, the company has streamlined its complaint resolution process, ensuring quicker redressal.

Driving Digital Transformation with In-House Web Apps

SECL has also developed various in-house web applications to drive its digital transformation. Key apps include CSR app, which tracks corporate social responsibility initiatives; Chirayu app, which facilitates seamless medical referrals and the Vidhik app, which provides an overview of legal matters. These platforms reflect SECL’s commitment to creating tailor-made, efficient digital solutions that meet the unique needs of its workforce and operations.
Through these initiatives, SECL is advancing its digital push, contributing to the overall vision of a digitally empowered Coal India. Special Campaign 4.0 has been a catalyst in SECL’s journey toward greater innovation, transparency, and operational excellence.

 

 

Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

 

 

CSR by Corporates Makes Way to National Budget 2024-25

By
Nitya Choubey
-
CSR by Corporates Makes Way to National Budget 2024-25
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is all set to roll out its Internship scheme, which is part of the Modi government budget 2024-25. The prime minister’s ‘Package for Employment and Skilling’ has been allotted an overall budget of ₹2 lakh crore. India’s top 500 companies will be selected to be part of this scheme. The catch here is that these companies will be selected based on their corporate social responsibility or CSR performance over the last five years.
What is this Internship scheme all about and how corporate social responsibilities by companies is helping the government boost employment in India this year?

Government’s Internship Program

The Government of India has decided to partner with the formal sector of the Indian economy (both corporate and semi-government) to come up with an internship program for students of the economically marginalised sections. The one-year Internship scheme was rolled out this month by launching an online portal for all the applicants. These applicants will directly apply to get internships with India’s 500 top companies whose performance in corporate social responsibility has been commendable.
The portal will work by listing Internship opportunities by the companies, followed by registration by applicants in the portal. But to ensure that applications are received from houses actually in need of employment, a few criteria have been set for eligibility. These include an age bracket of 21 to 24 years. Candidates who have acquired education from esteemed institutes like IIT or IIM and candidates and those whose family has government employees will not be eligible for the internship program. However, applicants from Kaushal Kendra and ITI can apply in the portal.
The selection process will also involve digital and governmental checks to avoid biases. A backend bot of the portal will screen all applicants to shortlist a few, who will later be tested by the company. If the company rejects the applicant, the portal will revert back to the applicant, to eventually start a new cycle of selection. The naming of the candidate by the portal will ensure that the company does not pick out a certain category of applicants over the other, tackling the problem of lower employability.
The internship program will offer ₹5000, out of which ₹4500 will be provided by the government under direct cash transfer (DCT) while ₹500 will be contributed by the company itself, from its CSR fund. Companies can also tie up with other companies working in the supply chain to rule out internship opportunities. This will increase the ambit of the internship to a larger number of companies, that can offer more diverse internship programs.
As per the scheme, a company can decide to pay its intern more than ₹5000, but anything above 500 will be borne by the company itself and not be part of its CSR fund. This clause will help in increasing the number of people employed, instead of picking out a handful of applicants only.

Twin Problem of Employment and Responsible CSR

This particular intervention by the government will solve the problem of employment in India and will also be a push towards responsible use of CSR funds by the companies. In India, CSR is mandated by the law and is a compulsory practice for companies generating good profit. But often companies spend their CSR funds irresponsibly by conducting big events and running campaigns that do not bring about any real change. Often CSR initiatives are also carried by companies to satisfy legal obligations and their planning is not intended towards making the lives of people better.
This initiative will call for more responsible use of CSR funds by the company. The fact that corporate social responsibility made it to this year’s national budget tells us about its growing value in the times to come.
This scheme will also bridge the gap between classroom education and the actual work environment that students will have to face after they graduate. For the companies also, this scheme will help provide a youth-based workforce who will find greater chances of employability in both MSMEs and MNCs.
“With industries grappling with a growing talent shortage, the PM Internship Scheme provides a crucial bridge. By offering on-the-job training to youth, it will prepare them to meet the evolving Industry demands, while ensuring that businesses get access to a skilled and agile future workforce, fostering progress and innovation,” told Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of CII, two daily Newspaper The Indian Express.
After its launch on the 2nd of October, the portal has successfully registered more than 1.5 lakh applicants, according to the Press Information Bureau. These numbers are to increase over the remaining days of October.

‘WE WILL’ CSR Initiative Enables Collection and Distribution of toys, clothes, and books

By
The CSR Journal
-
‘WE WILL’ CSR Initiative Enables Collection and Distribution of toys, clothes, and books
K Raheja Corp Homes, the residential business of K Raheja Corp, proudly announces the successful conclusion of the 2nd edition of its ‘WE WILL’ initiative. This initiative, part of the ‘Royalty’ program, saw an overwhelming response from residents, with over 5000 families participating in the donation drive, the ‘WE WILL’ initiative spanned across key locations including Mumbai, Pune, and Hyderabad –Raheja Vihar in Chandivali, Raheja Vistas Premiere & Raheja Viva in Pune, and Raheja Vistas in Hyderabad. In collaboration with NGOs such as Goonj, OM Creations Trust, and Ashray-Akruti, the drive collected over 750+ pieces of clothing, 550+ books, and 200+ toys, which were distributed to underprivileged communities.
Adding to the event’s success, an exhibition of handmade festive décor artefacts designed and created by adults and children with special needs was organized.
Mr. Ashish Dhami, Chief of Sales, Marketing and Product Design, said, “We are thrilled by the enthusiastic participation in this year’s ‘WE WILL’ donation drive. The spirit of community and generosity displayed by our residents is truly inspiring. From parents to the elderly to even kids, everybody contributed to whatever capacity they could. The customers generously donated and willingly came forward to help in every way possible to support this humanitarian aid for the marginalized strata of society. We are proud to have made a meaningful difference in the lives of those less fortunate and look forward to continuing this tradition of giving back.”
This year’s drive saw a significant increase in contributions, with the residential community in Mumbai leading followed by Pune and Hyderabad. The partner NGOs, who have been collaborating with K Raheja Corp Homes for the past few years, reported that the week-long drive benefited numerous children, adults, and elders.
The success of the ‘WE WILL’ initiative emphasizes K Raheja Corp Homes’ commitment to fostering community spirit and driving positive change, enhancing the lives of those in need.
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

CSR: Industry Leaders Unite to Drive Sustainability Agenda at Curtain Raiser Event for the Summit on Sustainability

By
The CSR Journal
-
CSR: Industry Leaders Unite to Drive Sustainability Agenda at Curtain Raiser Event for the Summit on Sustainability
In an unprecedented gathering, industry experts from IIT Madras, IGBC Mumbai Chapter, Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI), Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA), and AND Sustainability came together to advance India’s LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) Mission and support the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This collaboration aims to foster meaningful change from grassroots to corporate levels, setting a powerful precedent for sustainability leadership.
For decades, sustainability has been the guiding principle of development, ensuring that present needs are met without jeopardizing the future. It calls for living within environmental limits, fostering a healthy, just society, and achieving a stable economy—all underpinned by good governance and social responsibility.
As the world faces mounting challenges—floods in Asia, forest fires in Europe and South America, and devastating hurricanes in the U.S.—the urgent need for corporate growth intertwined with sustainable practices has never been more clear. The Energy Consortium at IIT Madras, in partnership with Pollution Control India, has spearheaded this critical conversation by organizing the Curtain Raiser to the highly anticipated Summit on Sustainability, was held on 18th November 2024 at Hotel Kohinoor Continental, Mumbai.
A Platform for Collaboration
The Curtain Raiser event featured a stellar lineup of eminent speakers and thought leaders, including Dr. Mala Singh, Chairperson, IGBC Mumbai Chapter, Founder & Director, PEC Greening India; Sathvik Batte, Co-Founder, Marichin Sustainables; Biren Vora, Director, Ekaagra Social & Microfinance Foundation; Rushva Parihar, Founder & Sustainability Head, Improving Lives Foundation; Sharang Ambadkar, Founder & CEO, Feel Good EcoNurture LLP; Dr. Nikhil Tambe, CEO, Energy Consortium, IIT Madras; Ganesh Chari, Founder & MD, Neshaju Envirotech; Pramod Shinde, Head of Communications, MRAI; Pravin Lawande, Assistant Manager, IPCA
These industry leaders, each working toward one or more SDGs, discussed how their collaborative efforts are transforming sustainability from a buzzword into an actionable roadmap. They addressed the media and attendees on the importance of uniting academia, industry, and government in accelerating the adoption of sustainable practices across sectors.
“This Curtain Raiser is a testament to the power of collaboration between academia and industry to drive sustainable innovation,” said Himakshi Singh, spokesperson for the event. “While many sustainability events take place, the real question is: What lasting impact do they create? Through our Summit on Sustainability, we aim to foster long-term conversations, engagement, and tangible action that move the needle on achieving the SDGs.”
Dr. Nikhil Tambe, CEO, Energy Consortium (IIT Madras) added, “Our goal is to inspire continuous engagement that yields results. The upcoming summit will not just be a one-time event, but a catalyst for a sustained dialogue and innovation for a greener future.”
Dr. Mala Singh, Advisory Board Member at Pollution Control India and Executive Director of CSO Global, highlighted “The significance of green energy and sustainable practices in addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and global warming. She emphasized the need for all stakeholders, including corporates, MSMEs, and individuals, to adopt eco-friendly practices such as energy conservation, waste minimization, and the use of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and bioenergy. Also, would like to point out the government’s supportive policies, including subsidies for residential and agricultural projects, which are fostering a transition towards cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions. Investing in green energy is not only beneficial for the environment but also offers long-term economic savings for individuals and communities.”
Ganesh Chari, Founder and Deputy of Neshaju Environotypes, emphasized “The importance of integrating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting and compliance, particularly in the wake of escalating climate crises such as flooding and landslides. As industries continue to expand, it’s crucial that we simultaneously prioritize environmental sustainability. By implementing stronger ESG frameworks, we can ensure that future policies are both effective and beneficial to the environment,”
Prof. Anuradda Ganesh, Adjunct Faculty, IIT-Madras School of Sustainability, emphasized “The importance of industry compliance with newly mandated ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting standards. “This initiative aims to support industries as they navigate the complexities of ESG reporting, ensuring sustainability practices are deeply integrated. Through collaboration between academia, regulators, and industry, we are addressing key challenges such as emission tracking and resource efficiency. This workshop marks a crucial step toward helping India achieve its net zero targets,”
A Glimpse into the Future: Summit on Sustainability
Scheduled for 18th November 2024, the Summit on Sustainability will feature insightful discussions on Corporate Responsibility in Reversing Climate Change, Circular Economy and ESG Compliance, Creating Wealth from Waste with a Focus on EPR, Green Financing and Raising Capital for Sustainable Businesses.
With over 20 high-profile speakers, including Ramveer Tanwar (Pondman of India), Smita Ram (Co-Founder, Rang De Foundation), Prof. Indumathi Nambi (IIT Madras), Nandakumar (CEO, International Center for Clean Water), and Sharang Ambadkar (FeelGood Nurture LLP), the event will bring together 200+ delegates from industries, NGOs, academic institutions, policy makers, and end-users, all committed to forging a path toward a sustainable future.
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

CSR Project for ecological restoration: planting of over 700,000 trees across Maharashtra

By
The CSR Journal
-
CSR Project for ecological restoration: planting of over 700,000 trees across Maharashtra
Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) has achieved a major milestone by planting over 700,000 trees in different parts of Maharashtra, highlighting the Group’s commitment to ecological restoration. This includes the Group’s recent initiative of planting 100,000th tree at the Green Future Park near its Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (CSN) car manufacturing facility, which will provide an oxygen-rich environment to the Shendra Industrial area.
SAVWIPL’s tree plantation efforts are part of a larger sustainability agenda that includes a range of green projects. The Group has made notable progress in reducing its carbon footprint, including the complete decarbonization of its Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar plant, which includes operations on 100% Green Energy. Additionally, SAVWIPL has installed 18.5 MWp of rooftop solar power at its Chakan facility, offsetting nearly 30% of CO2 emissions.
Further demonstrating its environmental commitment, SAVWIPL has restored 100 hectares of degraded mangrove forests in Alibaug, planting over 580,000 trees to revitalize the vital coastal ecosystem. The Group has also enhanced its sustainability efforts with rainwater harvesting capacity exceeding 600 million litres in drought prone villages of Maharashtra, reflecting its dedication to sustainable water management beyond the fence.
Over the last few years, SAVWIPL has been consistently supporting ecological restoration projects in the local area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Pune, and a few other places in Maharashtra. Some of the key projects include the plantation of 25,000 trees at Oxygen Park, and 11,500 trees at the Green Hub. The 63,500 trees at recently developed Green Future Park have significantly expanded these efforts.
These initiatives are expected to have a considerable impact on CO2 reduction once the trees reach maturity in 5-7 years. Beyond environmental benefits, these projects contribute to reducing local temperatures, restoring ecosystems, and enhancing green cover. Rich in biodiversity, they align with the Group’s environmental mission statement of ‘goTOzero’.
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

CSR: Botanical walk hosted in Mumbai to promote environmental learning

By
The CSR Journal
-
CSR: Botanical walk hosted in Mumbai to promote environmental learning
Mumbai, India: Growel’s 101 Mall in Kandivali has unveiled Mumbai’s first-ever botanical walk, an innovative green space designed to engage and educate visitors, with a special focus on fostering a connection with nature amidst the city’s concrete jungle. The initiative aims to offer a serene retreat while promoting environmental awareness and sustainability. The inaugural event was marked by a visit from students of La Stella International Montessori, who were among the first to experience this unique fusion of nature and urban life.
Set within the mall compound, the botanical walk is not only a visual delight but also serves as a living classroom, offering a rich edutainment experience for visitors of all ages. The walk showcases a diverse collection of plants, flowers, herbs that highlight the importance of biodiversity, sustainable practices, and ecological balance. During their visit, students participated in guided tours and learned firsthand about sustainability enhancing their understanding of the environment.
Santush Pandde, COO – Real Estate at Grauer & Weil (India) Limited (Growel’s 101 Mall), expressed his excitement, “We are thrilled to be the first mall in India to launch a botanical walk, and it was wonderful to welcome the students from La Stella International Montessori as our inaugural guests. This walk is more than just an attraction; it is a place for young minds to connect with nature, appreciate its significance, and cultivate a deeper understanding of sustainability. With this initiative, we are not only offering a unique experience but also taking significant strides towards meeting our ESG goals”.
In a city like Mumbai, where green spaces are scarce and the urban landscape is dominated by high-rises and busy streets, the botanical walk at Growel’s 101 serves as a critical green lung, offering visitors a refreshing escape from the concrete environment. The walk also aligns with the mall’s broader mission to give back to the community through initiatives that promote environmental and social well-being. Growel’s 101 is actively engaging the community at large through a variety of environmental and social initiatives, empowering local residents to participate in sustainability efforts.
The botanical walk is one such initiative now open to public, schools, community groups, students interested in botanical study. It is designed not only to beautify the space but also to serve as a hub for community-driven activities from gardening workshops to environmental awareness campaigns. It represents a perfect blend of recreation, education, and social engagement, enhancing the shopping mall experience in a meaningful way.

 

 

Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

 

 

हरियाणा – पशु अस्पताल बनेगा अत्याधुनिक, 100 करोड़ का सीएसआर होगा खर्च

By
Rahuldeo Sharma
-
हरियाणा – पशु अस्पताल बनेगा अत्याधुनिक, 100 करोड़ का सीएसआर होगा खर्च
हरियाणा के एनिमल लवर्स के लिए ये अच्छी खबर है। राष्ट्रीय राजधानी दिल्ली से सटे गुरुग्राम जिले के गांव कादीपुर में बने पशु अस्पताल को और भी अत्याधुनिक बनाया जायेगा। हरियाणा सीएसआर ट्रस्ट के तहत कादीपुर के पशु अस्पताल को अत्याधुनिक वेटनरी सर्विसेस से लैस किया जाएगा। साथ ही, पशु अस्पताल (Pet Hospital) की बिल्डिंग को नया स्वरूप दिया जाएगा। इस काम के लिए बाकायदा 100 करोड़ रुपए खर्च किया जायेगा। यानी कि अब कादीपुर पशु अस्पताल को वेटरनिटी सेंटर ऑफ एक्सीलेंस बनाया जा रहा है। इसके लिए पशुपालन विभाग, वेदांता ग्रुप की संस्था अनिल अग्रवाल फाउंडेशन के अधिकारियों के बीच एक MoU साइन किया गया।

हरियाणा में सीएसआर से बेहतर होगी पशु चिकित्सा सेवाएं

हम आपको बता दें कि गुरुग्राम जिले में पशु चिकित्सा सेवाएं बेहतर हो सके इसके लिए वेदांता ग्रुप की अनिल अग्रवाल फाउंडेशन 100 करोड़ की सीएसआर फंड खर्च करने वाली है। पशु अस्पताल (Veterinary Hospital in Haryana) को वेटरनिटी सेंटर ऑफ एक्सीलेंस बनाने के लिए कंपनी ने एक प्रोजेक्ट रिपोर्ट तैयार की है। गुरुग्राम के उपायुक्त निशांत कुमार यादव ने बताया कि इस परियोजना को दो चरणों में लागू किया जाएगा, जिसमें पहले चरण में अस्पताल के रेनोवेशन और दूसरे चरण में नए स्टाफ क्वार्टर व भवन का निर्माण शामिल है। इस अवसर पर एक आधुनिक पशु चिकित्सा एंबुलेंस भी शुरू की गई, जिसे एसडीएम रविंद्र कुमार ने हरी झंडी दिखाकर रवाना किया।

CSR से बन रही हरियाणा की वेटनरी हॉस्पिटल में मिलेगी ये सुविधाएं

गौरतलब है कि कादीपुर पशु अस्पताल की बिल्डिंग 1.78 एकड़ भूमि में बनी हुई है, जो काफी जर्जर हालत में पहुंच चुकी है। इसके लिए कंपनी ने पहले चरण के लिए रेनोवेशन की प्रोजेक्ट रिपोर्ट तैयार की है।  इसके तहत, यहां जनरल ओपीडी, मेडिसिन स्टोर, प्राइवेट ओपीडी, रिसेप्शन, लॉबी, लैबोरेट्री, ओटी रूम, ऑपरेशन के बाद केयर यूनिट, डायरेक्टर रूम, चिकित्सक कक्ष आदि को नए सिरे से बनाया जाएगा। दूसरे चरण में स्टाफ के लिए नई बिल्डिंग व पशु अस्पताल भवन का नवनिर्माण संबंधित कार्य पूरे किए जाएंगे। इस अस्पताल के नवीनीकरण से गुरुग्राम जिले के Animal Lovers को अपने बीमार Pets के इलाज के लिए अत्याधुनिक सुविधाएं उपलब्ध होगी।

CSR Report: Maruti Suzuki India Limited spent Rs. 110 Cr. for CSR in FY24

By
The CSR Journal
-
CSR Report: Maruti Suzuki India Limited spent Rs. 110 Cr. for CSR in FY24
Having a car is not only about the convenience of transportation. It is about having a sense of success and prestige. This is why the passenger vehicles industry plays a huge role in developing countries such as India. Maruti Suzuki India, holding the largest market share in the passenger vehicles space in India, plays a major role in the country’s growth and development through its operations as well as CSR.
In FY 2023-24, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) spent Rs 110 crore in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. In accordance with the priorities for national development, the corporation implements Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes in the areas of community development, skill development, healthcare and road safety. The company was recognised for its CSR initiative in healthcare at The CSR Journal Excellence Awards 2024 as a second runner up.

CSR Initiatives by Maruti Suzuki India

The CSR of Maruti Suzuki India seeks to engage with the local community through village administration bodies (Panchayat) and village leaders to understand their diverse perspectives on local problems and find solutions to some of the most pressing issues. Based on the local context, the community development initiatives are focused on improving health, education, water and sanitation, and common community infrastructure.
Maruti under its CSR has set up 27 water ATMs across 25 villages at an affordable price, as part of CSR. Over 35,000 households within the local communities are benefitting through this initiative. Maruti has also been managing door-to-door household waste collection in 9 villages, benefitting more than 8,500 households.

Health Initiatives

A multi-speciality hospital has been set up at Sitapur, Gujarat in partnership with Ramanbhai Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Zydus Hospitals, Ahmedabad. The hospital has been operational with 50 beds since April 2021, and the facility is spread over 7.5 acres. It provides out-patient services, emergency care and superspecialty medical services in the areas of radiology, ophthalmology, physiotherapy, gynecology, cardiology, orthopedic, urology, nephrology and general surgery.
The hospital treated more than 60,000 patients from 25 nearby villages so far. Along with quality health care services, it provides ambulance facility and organises health camps in the villages. The hospital has improved accessibility to quality tertiary health care services. In addition, the hospital facilitated patients to avail the benefits of Aayushman Bharat Yojana, a Government Health Insurance scheme.

Education Initiatives

Maruti through CSR has set up a school at Sitapur, Gujarat in partnership with Podar Education Network to provide quality education to children of Hansalpur, Becharaji and other nearby villages. The school focuses on the holistic development of children by imparting best academic practices and inculcating moral values, discipline and ethics. Primary school, from nursery to Class V, has been operational since April 2021, and currently 330 students are enrolled.

Village Development Projects

Since the project’s inception, Maruti has set up 28 water ATMs in 25 villages to supply drinking water to community members at an affordable price. Over 58 million litres of drinking water have been provided since the commencement of the project. The water ATMs are self-sustainable as the operations and maintenance costs are met with user fees. Under CSR, Maruti has also constructed 4,455 individual household toilets to help villages achieve open defecation-free status.
Support for door-to-door household waste collection and sweeping has been provided in 15 villages. Through the waste collection activity, over 37 tonnes of domestic waste have been collected from around 15,000 households each day. The mechanised organic waste management facility at Manesar processed more than 650 tonnes of solid waste during the reporting period.
Maruti’s CSR lends  support in strengthening of the common infrastructure in villages through initiatives such as laying of paver street, upgradation of panchayat office and development of community park.

Skill Development Projects by Maruti Suzuki India

The CSR of Maruti Suzuki India directs its skill development initiatives to enable the youth to undergo technical training on trades relevant to industrial employment.

Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing (JIM)

The Company started three Japan-India Institutes for Manufacturing (JIM)—two in Gujarat and the other in Haryana. This is the result of collaboration between the Governments of Japan and India to create a pool of skilled workforce for the Indian manufacturing industry.
The courses taught at JIM are recognised by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) and the institutes are accredited by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan. Training courses are offered in the domain of automobile manufacturing, maintenance, and service such as Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Mechanic Auto Body Painting, Electrician, Welder, Mechanic Diesel Engine, Mechanic Auto Body Repair, Technician Mechatronics and Fitter. Unique features of JIMs include mini-vehicle assembly line, engine assembly line, safety lab, virtual welding simulators and spot-welding equipment that provide hands-on training to the students to make them industry ready.
In addition to industry skills, students are trained on soft skills and Japanese shop-floor practices in the areas of safety, quality, discipline, punctuality, Kaizen, 3G, and 5S. The soft skill curriculum has been developed by the Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS), Japan under the guidance of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan.
The JIMs provide training under the Dual System of Training (DST) scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE). DST is an amalgamation of theoretical training imparted through ITIs and practical training imparted through the industry. DST enables industry linkages and provides hands-on experience to students on latest technologies. During the reporting period, the first batch of over 190 DST students completed their industry training for seven months at the Company’s plants in Haryana and the Suzuki Motor Corporation plant in Gujarat

Upgradation of Industrial Training Institutes (ITI)

Maruti Suzuki India adopted 22 ITIs across various states and over 7,300 students were trained in 2022-23. Maruti established Automotive Skill Enhancement Centres in 31 ITIs and over 1,400 students were trained in 2022-23.
The interventions are focused on training programmes related to the industry’s shop-floor requirements, behavioral and functional skills, and industry work culture. Over 6,500 students were trained during the reporting period.
Automobile Skill Enhancement Centres (ASECs) in ITIs impart training on trades such as Mechanic Motor Vehicle (MMV), Auto Body Repair (ABR) and Auto Body Paint (ABP). During the reporting period, over 1800 students were trained through ASECs at 39 Government ITIs.

Apprenticeship Programme

Through the apprenticeship programme for Industrial Training Institute (ITI) students, over 3,000 aspiring youth from various ITIs were trained at Maruti’s manufacturing facilities and were given a monthly stipend. The apprentices got an opportunity to engage with the Company’s experts and improve their employability skills by working on the shop floor.

Road Safety Initiatives by Maruti Suzuki India

Driven by the commitment to make Indian roads safer, the CSR of Maruti Suzuki India undertakes various initiatives, augmenting government efforts to improve driving skills through awareness campaigns, professional driving training, and automation of traffic enforcement and license issuing system.

Improving Road Safety through IDTR

To provide driving training and education, the Company has set up eight Institutes of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTR) and 23 Road Safety Knowledge Centres (RSKC) in association with six state governments. In December 2021, IDTR at Raipur, Chhattisgarh commenced its operations.
The IDTRs use scientifically designed test tracks, driving simulators and a well-defined curriculum to conduct learner, refresher and evaluation courses for drivers of light motor vehicles, heavy motor vehicles, two-wheelers, three-wheelers and forklifts. The IDTRs imparted quality and safe driving training to varied types of drivers including commercial drivers, police personnel, corporate employees and tribal youth. The IDTRs and RSKCs have trained over 300,000 drivers during the reporting period and nearly 4 million drivers over the past 20 years.

Strengthening Driving Licence Tests through ADTT

Maruti has partnered with the Delhi Transport Department to set up 12 Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTT) in Delhi. The centres have specially designed tracks to conduct driving tests. They are also equipped with high-resolution cameras to capture real-time footage of tests and analytics-based assessment tools to help in the issuance of driving licenses more transparently and efficiently. In addition, two ADTTs are operational in IDTR Dehradun, Uttarakhand and IDTR Aurangabad, Bihar.
Under its road safety initiatives, through Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs), the company has facilitated 100% computerised driving license testing in Delhi. So far, over 5 lakh individuals have taken driving license tests through the ADTTs. This ensures that only skilled drivers receive a driving license.

Traffic Safety Management System

The Traffic Safety Management System (TSMS) project has been implemented for the Delhi Police at 13 road junctions with high traffic density. The project aims to improve compliance with traffic rules, thereby reducing accidents. The TSMS comprises 3D radars and high-resolution cameras that capture traffic violations such as over-speeding, red-light violation, stop line violation and wrong side driving happening at traffic junctions. The information on violations is transmitted to the central control room of Delhi Traffic Police for manual validation, from where e-prosecution slips are sent to violators by SMS with a weblink that shows the evidence.

Conclusion

For FY 2023-24 the focus areas for Maruti’s CSR work are road safety, skill development and community development.
The focus on the long-term projects of the CSR of Maruti Suzuki India has allowed it to have a deeper and more permanent impact on society. This will not only aid the country in achieving its Nationally Determined Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals but also help the country achieve its target to be a developed country by 2047.
1...243244245...1,221Page 244 of 1,221

Hindi Manch

Editor's Pick

© Copyright 2024 The CSR Journal. All Rights Reserved | Powered by : Inventif Web