CSR PSU
NMDC Spreading Smiles
NMDC has been looking to add value to its CSR efforts by aiming for improvement in major thrust areas like education, healthcare and hygiene, creation of infrastructure, skill development and sustainable income generation and safe drinking water.
NMDC is one of the leading iron ore mining companies in India since it started the journey in the late 1950s. The company has invested substantially in the socio-economic development of the local communities especially in the tribal belts close to the mining projects. NMDC is striving for excellence in promoting sustainable development and improvement in quality of life of surrounding communities through CSR initiatives based on ethical, transparent and sound governance practices. It has been a pioneer in the area of CSR and has formed a well-thought out and transparent policy way back in 2008 much before the Central Government brought in amendments to the Companies Act in 2013 mandating all corporations to spend at least 2 per cent of their profits.
While pursuing its business objectives, NMDC has been looking to add value to its CSR efforts by aiming for improvement in these following major thrust areas.
- Education
- • Healthcare and hygiene
- • Creation of infrastructure
- • Skill development and sustainable income generation • Safe drinking water
EDUCATION
Education has been a key CSR initiative of NMDC given its large-scale operation in remote, socio-economically backward areas inhabited by large tribal population. Schools for tribal children and differentlyabled have been constructed for higher and technical education. NMDC Residential School has been constructed in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh state which provides education to 600 students who come from remote forested areas. They are first generation school-goers from their families.
Balika Shiksha Yojana is a dedicated programme for tribal girls of Bastar district who join nursing classes which in due course enables them to earn a livelihood. Some 260 girl students are the beneficiaries of this yojana till date. Mid-day Meal Scheme is supported by NMDC in Domimalai and Ballari areas in Karnataka. The scheme has been benefiting 8,000 students. The scholar scheme Shiksha Sahayog Yojana is extended to 18,000 marginalized students who are studying in Class IX for their higher, professional and technical education. Students of Bastar district in Chhattisgarh have been getting benefits under this scheme. Education City, a hub of educational facilities, has been started in collaboration with the state government of Chhattisgarh. Students from the primary school level to professional level institutions are covered under this project.
‘Astha Gurukul’ residential school for orphans provides educational facilities to those students who are affected by leftwing extremism in Chhattisgarh state. Families and students who are victims of violence, destitute and the marginalized get enrolment under this scheme. About 920 students have been enrolled. NMDC facilitates opportunity to students for free coaching who are keen to pursue higher professional courses in engineering and medicine under the Choo Lo Aasmaan programme. Saksham is an educational facility for specially-abled students numbering 206. NMDC provides 100 per cent support to these students.
Polytechnic College and ITIs have been started in Dantewada where 206 and 76 students respectively get quality education.
HEALTHCARE
NMDC has taken significant initiatives in healthcare. Free medical treatment to tribal population is offered in which more than one lakh outpatients and 10,000 inpatients are annually provided healthcare facility. Besides, under the Hospital on Wheels programme, NMDC provides regular medical camps to remote areas covering 37 villages.
SWACHH BHARAT MISSION
- NMDC is a partner in the national movement of Clean India contributing its mite to the Swachh Bharat Movement.
- Constructed 2,089 toilets in Bastar district.
- Facilitated construction of 1,662 household toilets in Dantewada district.
- Carried out cleanliness awareness programme in 16 villages in Dantewada.
INFRASTRUCTURE
- High-level bridges on Dankini constructed, which is a lifeline in the remote area.
- Gaurav Path, a four-way road, has been constructed in Dantewada.
- A bypass road connecting Dantewada to Jagdalpur has been constructed.
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Skill development is an initiative which has been launched to encompass the youth of the country with skill sets which make them more employable and productive in the work environment. NMDC has conducted training programmes in bell metal, bamboo and tribal arts which are part of tribal skills. About 1,600 youth have been the beneficiaries.
DRINKING WATER
- Hand pumps have been installed in the remote areas of Dantewada.
- A water purification plant has been installed in Domimalai plant in Bellari district, Karnataka.
- A group water supply scheme has also been launched by NMDC.