The Himalayan state of Uttarakhand is famous across the country for the pilgrimage sites, beautiful and holy rivers and significance of spirituality. The state is also often in news for various natural calamities because of its tricky terrain and peculiar climate. Additionally, the state also has economic importance for its contribution to Agriculture and Tourism. The unique conditions of the state and its proximity to the national capital has made it an attractive destination for various CSR projects.
Here is a look into the top CSR projects in Uttarakhand:
Where does Uttarakhand stand
As per data from National CSR portal, in the financial year 2020-21, the total CSR expenditure in Uttarakhand has been Rs 151.3 crores, with a total of 285 companies investing in 14 districts of the state under 9 different sectors.
Top 3 districts
The top 3 districts to get CSR benefits in Uttarakhand are respectively Dehradun (amount spent towards CSR 31.41 cr), Haridwar (29.32 cr) and Udham Singh Nagar (12.67 cr). Chamoli, Tehri, Champawat, Pithoragarh, Nainital, Almora and Rudraprayag feature among the rest of the top 10 districts enjoying CSR benefits in the state.
Top 3 sectors
The top 3 sectors in which most of the CSR activities have been performed in the state are
–Education, differently abled, livelihood (CSR spent 65.03 cr)
–Health, eradicating hunger, poverty and malnutrition, safe drinking water, sanitation (CSR spent 59 cr)
–Rural development (CSR spent 19.35 cr)
Top 3 companies
The top three companies spending for CSR in Uttarakhand in FY 2020-21 are respectively Reckitt Benckiser (India) Private Limited (20.45 cr), THDC India Limited (14.1 cr) and Coal India Ltd Govt Of India Undertaking (9.53 cr).
Reckitt Benckiser (India) Private Limited
Reckitt is a world’s leading consumer health and hygiene company. Reckitt (the trading name for Reckitt Benckiser group of companies) is the company behind some of the world’s most recognisable and trusted consumer brands in hygiene, health, and nutrition, including Air Wick, Clearasil, Dettol, Durex, Harpic, Lysol, Mortein, Strepsils, Vanish, Veet and more.
The company says its purpose is to ‘protect, heal, and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We believe that access to the highest-quality hygiene, wellness and nourishment is a right, not a privilege.’ Reckitt has diverse global team of over 43,000 people who aim to contribute towards a healthier planet and a fairer society.
In the FY 2020-21, the company’s average net profit was Rs 1759.78 cr out of which the CSR Prescribed Expenditure has been 35.2 cr and actual CSR spent is 36.18 cr, out of which 20.45 cr has been spent towards CSR in Uttarakhand alone.
Highest spender in CSR projects in Uttarakhand, the company has spent money in the healthcare sector— Banega Swasth India – Intervention For Better Health And Hygiene Outcomes In Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar district and Covid-19 relief across the state in the FY 2020-21. Banega Swasth India is a commitment towards making India healthier and clean. The program aims to spread awareness around the importance of hygiene and sanitation to millions across the country.
The company continues to spend towards community wellbeing in Uttarakhand this year as well. In August, this year, Reckitt, under its flagship campaign Dettol Banega Swasth India launched its Dettol School Hygiene Education Program across schools in Uttarakhand in Dehradun with its implementation partner PLAN India. Dettol School Hygiene Education Program aims to reach 5 million kids in 13 districts of Uttarakhand. The program was launched by Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister, Uttarakhand, Ravi Bhatnagar, Director, External Affairs and Partnerships, Reckitt- South Asia, and Bansidhar Tiwari, Director General, School Education, government of Uttarakhand.
Thdc India Limited
Thdc India Limited (formerly Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited) is a leading power sector and profit-making public sector enterprise, which registered as a Public Limited Company in July, 1988 under the Companies Act, 1956.
The company calls itself a ‘Socially responsible corporate, continuously enhancing value creation in society and community and promoting sustainable development’ and is the second largest spender for CSR in Uttarakhand in the FY 2020-21.
Their mission is to
–Build sustainable value based relationship with the key stakeholders through ongoing two way communication.
–To undertake CSR programmes with a human face.
–To transparently share the CSR and Sustainability initiatives with the stakeholders.
–To ensure increased commitment at all levels in the organization to operate its business in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner.
–To directly or indirectly take up CSR programmes that benefit the communities in and around its work centers and over a time result in enhancing the quality of life and economic well being of the local populace.
–To promote inclusive growth and address the basic needs of the deprived, underprivileged, neglected and weaker sections of the society.
–To generate through CSR initiatives, goodwill and pride for THDCIL among stakeholders and help reinforce a positive and socially responsible image of THDCIL as corporate entity.
Some of Thdc India Limited’s major CSR projects in Uttarakhand include
–Running of two Schools (one Inter College & One High School) for project affected and business area families through THDC Education Society in Tehri and Dehradun
–Corona Virus disaster relief work at Tehri & Dehradun
–Seed distribution to farmers of Tehri Band Prabavit Chhetra Pathri in Haridwar
–Base line survey/need assessment, Evaluation, Workshop, Publication, administrative expenses etc under CSR in Dehradun
–Maintenance of Agriculture & Horticulture related Livelihood Enhancement Establishment at Social & Environment Center, Jolly Grant, (Bhaniyawala) in Dehradun
–Community awareness on positive behavior change / moral values to promot health & hygiene at Rishikesh
–Organized 06 medical checkup camps at various villages of Tehri district
–Integrated Livelihood Enhancement Project for Tehri Dam Affected Villages in Bhilangana Valley of Tehri District
–Running of J.H. School at Koteshwar, Tehri
–Diploma in ITI course for 27 candidates of Chamba Block, Tehri
–Implementation of various Swachhata related activities under SAP in Dehradun
–Running of allopathic dispensary at Deengaon Pratapnagar Block, Tehri
–Contribution to Uttarakhand Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) to fight against COVID-19
–Sustainable Livelihood and resource management in Upli Ramoli Patti of Pratapnagar Block, Tehri
–Establishment of Mother poultry unit and linkage with backyard poultry for rural population of Tehri district
–Procurement of Cold Chain Equipments for COVID-19 Vaccination Programmes for government of Uttarakhand through CSR Fund as per directions of government of India
–Engagement of ITI- Trade Apprentice under Apprentice act
Coal India Ltd Govt Of India Undertaking
Coal India Limited (CIL) the state-owned coal mining corporate came into being in November 1975. With a modest production of 79 Million Tonnes (MTs) at the year of its inception CIL today is the single largest coal producer in the world and one of the largest corporate employers. CIL functions through its subsidiaries in 84 mining areas spread over eight states of India.
CIL is a Maharatna company – a privileged status conferred by Government of India to select state owned enterprises in order to empower them to expand their operations and emerge as global giants. Coal India Limited has 352 mines (as on 1st April, 2020) of which 158 are underground, 174 opencast and 20 mixed mines.
In their CSR policy, Coal India Limited mentions, ‘Mines of CIL and its subsidiaries are located in different parts of the country spread in eight states, in relatively isolated areas. lntroduction of any production activity in such areas changes the traditional lifestyle of the original inhabitants and indigenous communities and also changes the socio-economic profile of the area. Mining of coal too has profound impact on the people living in and around the areas where the mines are located. Hence, the primary beneficiaries of CSR activities shall be, Project Affected Areas (PAAs) and those staying within the radius of 25 kilometers of the coal mining projects. CIL and subsidiaries shall ensure that the maximum benefit of their CSR activities goes to the underprivileged sections of the society.’
Third largest spender for CSR in Uttarakhand in the FY 2020-21, Coal India Limited has spent a total of 95.4 cr towards CSR activities in the said financial year, out of which 9.53 cr is for Uttarakhand.
The company’s major CSR activities in Uttarakhand include spending towards border road construction and alignment work In Chamoli District and financial support for buying computers in Haridwar schools.
Other companies spending money towards CSR in Uttarakhand
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited, PC Jeweller Limited, NHPC Limited, IRB Infrastructure Developers Limited, Bajaj Auto Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, and Patanjali Ayurved Limited feature among the rest of the top 10 companies spending towards CSR in Uttarakhand in FY 2020-21.
