Beyond Business: How NLC India Limited is Enabling Grassroots Transformation at Scale

Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) have been pivotal to India’s growth—driving infrastructure, industrialisation, and inclusive development. Among them, NLC India Limited (NLCIL), a Navratna enterprise under the Ministry of Coal, has integrated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into its core mission. With its foundation in mining and power generation, NLCIL has steadily evolved into a socially and environmentally responsible organisation, aligning its efforts with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In this exclusive interview for TheCSRUniverse Magazine, we are in conversation with Shri Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, Chairman and Managing Director, NLCIL whose vision is anchored in community development and sustainability. Under his leadership, the company's CSR programmes span healthcare, education, skill development, environmental conservation, and water resource management—benefiting over seven lakh people annually. Their initiatives not only address immediate community needs but also contribute to long-term resilience and self-reliance.

In this interview, Shri Motupalli discusses how NLCIL is driving measurable impact through flagship CSR projects, advancing ESG goals, embracing tech-based monitoring, and charting a strategic roadmap for a greener, more inclusive future.

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Q. What is your CSR vision, and how is it aligned with national priorities and SDGs?

A. NLC India Limited (NLCIL), has been carrying out peripheral developmental activities for betterment of communities in the surrounding villages since its inception. The company embodies Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as one of its core values, as reflected in the company's vision statement and values.  

NLCIL Vision - To emerge as a leading Mining and Power Company, with Social Responsiveness accelerating the nation's growth.

NLCIL Objectives:

a. To carry out detailed exploration of lignite deposits in and around Neyveli region and also to assist/ carry out similar exploration and exploitation work in other parts of the country, with due attention to quality, economy and efficiency.

b. To Mine Lignite and Coal for the generation of Power and other Minor minerals incidental to Mining.

c. To undertake generation of power using Renewable energy sources viz., Solar and Wind.

d. To ensure optimum utilisation of human resources to encourage innovation and creativity with due emphasis on productivity, discipline, career growth, and quality of life of employees.

e. To extend Consultancy services to other organisations in such areas where NLCIL requires professional expertise.

f. To continue to make efforts towards reclamation of mined out land for afforestation and environmental care, including rehabilitation of displaced persons as a part of nation nation-building effort.

g. To adopt appropriate strategies for all-round development of the Company in physical, financial, environmental, and societal spheres as a responsible Corporate Citizen.

Q. Which thematic focus areas (e.g., education, health, skilling, sustainability) have been prioritised in recent years, and why?

A. For purposes of focusing its CSR efforts in a continued and effective manner, the following thrust areas have been identified.

- Healthcare/ Medical facility
- Drinking water/ Sanitation `
- Education Skill Development / Empowerment
- Rural Development projects including water resources augmentation
- Infrastructure Development
- Environment Protection
- Disaster Management
- Arts, culture and sports

For contributing towards the cause of Environment Protection, NLCIL will support the 3   UN Global Compact Principles pertaining to the Environment as below: 

- Support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
- Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.
- Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies

Q. Could you highlight two to three flagship CSR initiatives that have delivered measurable community impact?

A. The company through CSR implemented numerous Community Development initiatives for improving the quality of life of the people residing in its operational areas.   Around 7 Lakh people are benefitting from the CSR initiatives every year.  The three major flagship CSR initiatives are described below:

1) PROMOTING HEALTHCARE: 

NLCIL General Hospital:   NLCIL provides quality medical treatment and occupational health services through its General Hospital to around 1 Lakh people residing in its surrounding villages.

Community Medical Camps: Free medical consultation with minimum antibiotic therapy and vitamins have been extended to about more than 1,10,000 instances to out-patients from the rural public every years.   More than 24,000 patients have been availing emergency treatment for various causes, every year.   NLCIL entered MoU with M/s Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India Limited (ALIMCO) for distributing artificial limbs & assistive devices to Divyangjans in Cuddalore District in Tamil Nadu, Bikaner District in Rajasthan and Shambalpur and Jarshuguda Districts in Odissa.  

Every year, around 10 Camps (Medical Camps, Blood Donation camps, Hb levels checking camps) are being conducted in peripheral villages located in the area surrounding Neyveli in Cuddalore District.   On an average around 7000 people living in the NLCIL vicinity have been benefitting.

COVID Assistance:  In early 2020, the most devastating epidemic of the century struck and lasted over the two years. In line with the Govt. preparations to tackle possible COVID’19 third wave, NLCIL under CSR has been setting up 21 Oxygen Generation plants for 2100 beds at various Govt. Hospitals in Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Karnataka states.  NLCIL set up five oxygen concentration plants in Neyveli (NLCIL Hospital), Bikaner (PBM Government Hospital, Bikaner, Rajasthan) and Tuticorin (Occupational Health Centre, NTPL) besides providing 500 oxygen concentrators to Neyveli, Chennai, and the several other states including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.  The company actively participated in the vaccination drive, facilitating  as many as 55,368 persons to get vaccinated.   

Nutrition Supply: NLCIL is providing nutritious food supplement to the HIV affected children belonging to the Cuddalore District HIV Positive Society, Cuddalore. NLCIL also provided Nutritious food supplements to Oasis Schools Handicapped Children & MR Elders, Cuddalore benefitting around 130 home inmates.  In addition, Nutritious food supplements are also being provided to Buds of Heaven, Puducherry, a home for mentally retarded Female Children & Elders benefitting around 25 inmates.

Eradication of TB – 100 Days Campaign : NLC India Limited is intensifying its fight against tuberculosis with a 100-day campaign, aligning with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's "TB Free India" initiative. The company is committed to supporting the government's efforts to combat tuberculosis and achieve a TB-free India by 2025.

As part of this campaign, on 27.01.2025, NLC India administered the "Ni-kshay Shapath" oath, pledging to eliminate tuberculosis. The Digital screen on the “Ni-shay VAHAN” vehicle will display the precautions to be taken against the TB and the messages from doctors and display the short screen. NLCIL is also providing consultation, medicines and investigations at free of cost during this campaign related to TB. In partnership with GoI, and Govt of TN, NLCIL largely focuses on strengthening national response towards TB elimination.

Safe drinking water: NLCIL constructed Over Head Tank’s and drinking water borewells for benefiting general public in Cuddalore District (U.Adhanur, Mummudicholagan, Seplantham, Vazhisothanai Palayam, Valli Maduram, Ma Pudaiyur, Elamangalam, Vadakumelur, Annagramam, Kammapuram, Malaisanthu, K.Pudur, Sethiyathope, Vijayamanagaram Panchayat, etc..)  in recent years apart from other facilities provided to the community to meet the drinking water requirements.

Swachhta  Pakhawada: NLCIL is conducting Swachchta programmes benefiting around 5500 public/SHG/Students every year. Awareness creation on Personal hygiene, Environmental hygiene, Campaign and creating awareness in nearby village schools, ODF measures, Lecture programmes by doctors on “ Personnel Hygiene & Environmental Hygiene”, Street plays on cleanliness, Quiz programmes, competitions, Cleanliness drive and removal of Plastics/ Garbage’s including Hospitals & Dispensaries Cleaning”.

RO water purifying systems:  NLCIL installed 15 Nos. Of RO purified safe drinking water kiosks at various Heritage sites and public places in Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs. 105 Lakhs to provide safe drinking water to the general public.  The company under CSR, provide Buttermilk & Lemon water to the general public for 60 days during the peak summer season, every year.  Around 10000 people avails this facility per day

2) PROMTOING EDUCATION & SKILLS:

NLCIL Schools:  NLC India Limited runs 10 schools – 3 Higher Secondary Schools, 2 High Schools, 3 Middle Schools and 2 Elementary Schools to the students from surrounding villages and also to the wards of employees. On an average around 5200 school children avail quality education from these schools every year.

Every year, NLCIL has extended the Breakfast scheme to Std. XI & XII students of 3 NLC Hr. Sec. Schools to enable the students to attend the morning special classes, to improve the attendance and performance in the Public examinations benefitting around 2000 students.

NEET Coaching for the student’s community in the operating Region of NLCIL, Neyveli:    Every year, NLCIL under CSR is extending financial assistance of around Rs 45.00 lakh for giving NEET coaching for the benefit of 40 students residing in the operating region of NLCIL, Neyveli.

Education assistance:  NLCIL have been contributing Tuition fees to SC & ST and OBC students of Jawahar Science college, Neyveli every year. More than 900 students avail this scholarship facility every year.

Provision of Education Infrastructure in neighbouring villages:  As part of promoting quality education, NLCIL extends its support to the Govt. Schools located in Neyveli surrounding villages and Cuddalore District.  Fulfils the infrastructure requirements through construction of classrooms, levelling of school grounds, construction of toilets, drinking water facilities, establishment of science labs, school libraries and Digital classrooms, etc.,

Sneha Opportunity Services at Neyveli run a day care, education and training centre for   special children of the region. Sneha School imparts education and training to mentally challenged children (around 75 children - 49 Boys & 26 Girls) at a cost of around Rs 20 Lakhs, every year. Sneha Opportunity School offers a diverse range of educational programs tailored to the unique needs of its students.

NLCIL's Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives have been instrumental in providing Midday Meals Scheme since 2023-24, and now, NLC introduced a Free Transport Facility to ensure students from peripheral villages can commute safely and conveniently

Smart Classrooms:  As part of promoting technology initiatives in school education, NLCIL under stalled installed smart classrooms 10 Govt schools in Cuddalore Dist., in Tamil Nadu 17 Govt. schools in Dharwad Dist., in Karnataka.

Skill Development Initiatives: 

In line with Skill India mission and the requirements of contemporary job market, NLCIL under CSR continuously engage local communities in capacity building through up skilling programs.

Sill Development training for 2400 Young Girls and Women:  NLCIL under CSR provided  skill development training in dress designing and tailoring to 2400 women of Dharwad & Haveri Districts of Karnataka during the FY’s 2022-23 & 2023-24 through Gram Vikas Society, an NGO working in the field of Integrated Rural Development.  The beneficiaries were able to find gainful employment either through placement or self-employment.

Skill Development programme for the youth under Diploma in Mining:  NLCIL under CSR established Skill Development Centre at Annamalai University Chidambaram at a cost of Rs. 5.0 Cr..    Every year, with the support of NLCIL CSR Fund around 50 students including students from Project Affected Villages are pursuing Diploma in Mining Course through this Skill Development Centre.  The passing candidates are getting placement in various Mining Companies.

Job oriented and employable Skill Development Training program for the youth:  NLCIL under CSR supported M/s National Power Training Institute (NPTI) Neyveli in conducting Post Diploma and Post-Graduate Diploma courses to 50 candidates.  Beneficiaries include Project Affected Persons and General candidates from Cuddalore District in Tamil Nadu. Industrial exposure was provided to the candidates.  So far, 05 candidates pursuing PGDC have got placement in M/s Adani Power Limited and 10 candidates pursuing PDC got placement in M/s Power Mech Limited and 03 candidates have been shortlisted for placement with M/s JSW Energy.

Skill Development Training Programmes through ITI:  NLCIL established ITI at Barsingsar in Rajasthan State.  Skill development trainings viz, Welder, Fitter, Electrician & Horticulture are being given through this Institute  every year  at a cost of Rs 25.00 lakh.  104 candidates from various locations of Rajasthan state are getting trained through these courses.   On successful completion of training, these candidates are getting placement in various industries.

3) WATER RESOURCES AUGMENTATION:

NLC India Limited, under its Project Jal Paryapt, desilted and rejuvenated community water bodies and lakes in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu that had not been desilted for almost 50 to 100 years and hence the capacity of water bodies had diminished due to silting, and people were finding it difficult to meet their daily water requirements. Major interventions under the project involved survey of the water bodies, de-silting and geo-tagging of de-silted ponds, strengthening of bunds and construction of sluices and regulators, sinking bore-wells and setting up solar powered motor pumps, along with capacity building, monitoring and impact evaluation. The intervention has been replicated in the many parts of Tamil Nadu as well as in other states by the State Governments. NLCIL replicated the similar practice in its new projects in Rajasthan and Odisha.  The intervention prevented inundation of agriculture crops during heavy rains and floods. The intervention has facilitated cultivation of second and third crop in a year leading to income augmentation of farmers through regular supply of irrigation water by sinking bore wells in the de-silted ponds/water bodies, thereby making acres of land cultivable and beneficial for farmers in the area. These solar pumps are maintained by villagers.

There was remarkable improvement in groundwater level in the surroundings of de-silted lake/pond after the project. Livestock numbers, pisciculture and aquaculture in the region also improved. The CSR outreach teams of NLCIL began to organize local communities through dialogue and campaigns to promote conservation of community water bodies and lake system. The local communities stepped up to save their village ponds.

Q. How do you assess the effectiveness and long-term outcomes of your CSR programmes?

A. NLCIL conducts impact assessment of qualified CSR projects through third party agency.   OECD DAC framework has been used for evaluating the impact of NLCIL CSR projects.  The scores of initiatives under the impact assessment are based on its relevance, efficiency, effectiveness & impact and sustainability parameters, long-term outcomes of interventions. 

Q. Kindly share year-wise CSR spend (FY 2019-20 to FY 2023-24) along with sector-wise allocation. Are there any key states, regions, or aspirational districts that your PSU prioritises for CSR investments?

A. Year wise allocation & expenditure:

As per NLCIL CSR Policy, preference may be given to aspirational districts (Annexure I of Office Memorandum MCA Dated 10th Dec 2018). NLCIL undertaken CSR activities in the aspirational districts  such as Virudanagar District and Ramanathapuram Districts in Tamil Nadu . Any further guidelines from Government of India on consideration for Aspirational Districts shall be followed.

Q. How is your organisation moving beyond CSR into ESG, net-zero goals, or sustainability-led practices?

A. NLCIL places strong emphasis on conducting operations in an Environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner, aiming to mitigate the substantial risks and enhance the opportunities associated with its Eco-value chain.

With a dedicated focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, NLCIL strives to achieve the following objectives:

- To contribute to the greener growth and development of the nation.
- To promote enviro-friendly sustainable development practices across the value chain
- To engage with society and proactively address the emerging ESG issues

NLCIL is committed to uphold the Economic, Environmental, and Social responsibilities throughout its operations and effectively meetings their needs at the national, regional, and local levels. Within the framework of ESG, NLCIL has set benchmark standards to guide its actions at all times eco-friendly. The company is dedicated to fulfilling its role as a responsible corporate citizen by contributing positively to the socioeconomic factors and to the sustainable growth of the nation.

Q. What are some ESG-linked initiatives or climate-conscious programmes being implemented?

A. Environmental Management Systems: Implement and maintain integrated management systems across all our operations along with monitoring & reporting for continual improvement of our environmental performance.

Climate Change Mitigation and adaptation: Reduce our impact on climate change by identifying and mitigating climate risks, undertaking energy efficiency measures, optimum utilization of available resources, use of renewable & non-conventional sources of energy, 3 utilizing alternative raw materials & fuels, converting waste into wealth and adopting carbon reduction strategies.

Operation Stewardship: Conducting comprehensive analysis and exploring new green technologies to effectively manage the environmental and social impacts of our operations throughout the entire value chain.

Biodiversity Management: Protect and conserve biodiversity in and around the project sites and work towards safeguarding the places of concern and protected areas. Improving Eco-Habitat through bio-reclamation of mined out land by adopting scientifically sound sustainable methodologies.

Water Management: Promote sustainable water management practices, including efficient water consumption, recycling, treatment, etc. across all our operations, along with rainwater harvesting to minimize freshwater withdrawal.

Waste Management: Embrace the 6R approach (i.e., Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Reinvent & Recycle) for waste materials generated in operations and thereby reducing the environmental impact of wastes.

Strategic Planning towards Net Zero Carbon Emission: Planning & promoting CO2 sequestration methodologies, Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage (CCUS), Green zone development, implementation of emission control technologies, adoption of innovative green technologies (like lignite to methanol, Green hydrogen, Graphite/Graphine etc).

Social Development:

People Management: Nurture the growth of individuals by promoting employee engagement, providing training and development opportunities, motivating employees, and creating an inclusive and diverse environment that allows them to thrive and succeed and inculcating the eco-habits in their minds.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity: Ensure equal treatment and opportunities for all individuals, irrespective of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship, family relationship, or any other similar characteristic. Health, Safety & well-being: Enforce Health, Safety and well-being standards and guidelines, provide essential resources, training & education, promote well-being initiatives and monitor performance to achieve the objective of zero harm to all individuals associated with the value chain operations.

Community Engagement: Collaborate with local communities surrounding our operations to implement social interventions and community development initiatives.

Sustainable and Responsible Procurement: Strive to reduce external environmental, economic, and social risks by encouraging value chain partners to adopt sustainable practices; gain competitive advantage and create value by adopting eco-efficient sustainable practices throughout the operations and promote sustainable behaviour to drive change.

Human Rights and Fair Labour Practices: Ensure that all employees have equal opportunities, access to fundamental human rights, fair compensation, freedom of association, and the right to engage in collective bargaining through lawful and peaceful means.

Focus on Customers: Engage with customers on ESG issues through sustainability programs and ongoing dialogues.

Social investment: Invest to facilitate the fulfillment of the National Plan Goals and objectives, as well as the Developmental Goals of the government so as to ensure clean water and sanitation, affordable clean energy, gender equality, good health & well being, skill enhancement, entrepreneurship development and in-direct employment generation by co‐ creating value with local institutions/people

Q. Have you introduced innovative approaches (e.g., tech-based monitoring, digital dashboards, partnerships) in CSR planning or delivery?

A. NLCIL monitor its CSR projects/activities through a digital dash board.  The physical and financial progress of each project is being updated on a fortnightly basis.

Q. What is your strategic roadmap for CSR and sustainability in the next three to five years?

A. The company conducted a comprehensive Baseline study for CSR progams and project activities.  The Annual Action Plans for undertaking CSR activities/projects  in short term (3 years) and long term (6 yers) are planned in accordance with the findings and recommendations of the Baseline study.

NLCIL believes that there is no sustainable alternative to doing business other than by incorporating the principles of profit, people, and planet, thus measuring the performance in terms of economic, social and environmental impact (Triple Bottom Line approach)

In alignment with the Mission of the company, NLCIL, through its CSR initiatives, will continue to enhance the quality of life of the less privileged in society by providing necessary infrastructure, and be a credible and transparent organisation striving for the eradication of poverty and maintaining ecological balance.