Odisha: Industries Focus On Climate Action & Green Energy At CSR Conclave

Bhubaneswar: Climate action and green energy were the special focus areas for developing CSR activities by the industries in Odisha. This was emphasised at a state-level CSR conclave, ‘Doing CSR: Transforming the State’, which was attended by more than 15 large industries.

Large industries including Vedanta, JSPL, JSW, MCL, HAL, Arcelor Mittal, Hindalco-Utkal Alumina, TPCODL, Dalmia Cement, NALCO, FACOR, Tata Steel and industry bodies like CII, UCCI, among others participated in conclave held through virtual mode on Tuesday.

Additional Chief Secretary CJ Venugopal inaugurated the conclave which was attended by president of Vedanta, Tapan Chand as Special Guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Venugopal emphasised on climate action and green energy as special focus areas for CSR by industries. He appreciated the commitment of industries for coming together on a platform for discussing
ways and means to use CSR for the growth and development of the state.

Chand in his address told that introduction of statutory provisions on CSR have helped in doubling CSR budget, increasing CSR spend from around Rs 10,000 crore in 2015 to Rs 19,000 crore in 2019. Local area has also got attention for implementation of CSR projects, Chand said.

He further added that CSR is a change as well as an opportunity to change. CSR has brought change in the mindset and now industries have developed a  mindset of caring and sharing and industry captains, the joy of sharing.

New trends of CSR like ESR (Employee Social Responsibility), cause marketing, strategic philanthropy, peer fund raising etc have started developing making CSR a prestige tag, Chand said.

All the organisations presented their flagship CSR projects and expressed their commitment to implement CSR in the state with a mission of bringing transformation in the community.

Emerging entrepreneurs MD, Wallet for Wealth, Trinath Lenka and MD, Ecotourism organisation Sudhakar Rao also presented their ideas.

Lenka presented the services for financial inclusivity through education which is at core of its CSR. This company is operating at five locations in Odisha and his sixth outlet was inaugurated at Damanjodi in the conclave to make services relating to financial inclusivity available to the people.