New Delhi, 30 August 2020: Manufacturer of stainless steel products, Jindal Stainless (Hisar) exceeded its prescribed CSR budget for 2019-20 and spent a significant chunk of its expenditure towards relief works for cyclone Fani and Covid-19.
Going a step forward, the company spent Rs 8.92 crore on corporate social responsibility in last financial year against its prescribed CSR expenditure of Rs 8.89 crore. Average net profit of the company for last three financial years stood at Rs 444.55 crore. The prescribed CSR budget for a company is calculated as 2% of the average annual profit over the last three financial years.
Out of this amount, the company spent Rs 2.20 crore by providing financial assistance to the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority for relief work due to Cyclone Fani and support to needy families during the spread of COVID 19. Other than these relief works, Jindal Stainless (Hisar) also focused on agriculture development, maintenance and restoration of parks etc.
Chairperson Emeritus Savitri Devi Jindal says, "Our approach has taken a much more ambitious and strategic view on CSR and sustainability, focusing on empowering communities to generate a positive impact financially, socially and environmentally."
The CSR Committee of the company includes Deepika Jindal, Kanwaljit Singh Thind and Jagmohan Sood Member. Deepika Jindal is the chairperson of the committee.
Here are the focus areas of its CSR arm:
Agriculture Development Project
In partnership with the Gram Unnati Foundation, the company is implementing its project named ‘Improving the Incomes of Farmers through Production Practices and Market Linkages’ in Hisar, Pataudi and Nuh (Districts Gurugarm and Mewat). The company implements the same project with NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) in rest of India. Around 2,452 farmers are directly associated with the project and are given technical advisory assistance on agricultural practices, right from sowing till the harvesting for both Rabi and Kharif crops, the company informs in the annual report. Farmers also get an opportunity to participate in various other events and trainings such as, Kisan Mela, exposure visits etc, conducted at various institutes. The project is exploring tie-ups with other institutional buyers in Delhi NCR to present farmers the opportunity to access a larger market. The farmer-centric project has also joined hands with NABARD to strengthen the Farmers Production Organisations (FPOs) in six districts of Haryana, three districts of Rajasthan and two districts of Uttar Pradesh. The company spent Rs 1.31 crore on the project.
Maintenance and Restoration of OP Jindal Memorial Park
The restoration and maintenance of the OP Jindal Memorial Park is being implemented in partnership with Prabhaav Foundation. The park covers 24.5 acres of land, and regular activities related to its beautification are carried out, such as plantation of the seasonal flower plants/trees, grass mowing, irrigation, cleaning, mural painting etc. Additionally, Stainless Steel toilets, benches, dustbins, RO unit for safe drinking water, topiary and giraffe structure were installed in financial year 2020. A series of community sensitisation drives and a mega cultural, entertaining and informative event were organized for the local communities.
Deaf School Empowerment Project, ‘Nai Disha’
A program for developing the knowledge and skills of the deaf students enrolled at Welfare Centre for Persons with Speech and Hearing Impairment (WCPSHI), Hisar and Sonipat is being executed in partnership with Noida Deaf Society. Around 229 students are benefitting by learning the Indian Sign language, Basic English Communication, Value education and Computing. Sports activities such as skipping ropes, cricket, badminton, football are also organised periodically. Assessments show improvements in the academic performances of the students, along with increased communication with teachers, parents and friends, thus inculcating a positive attitude towards leading a satisfying life.
Adolescent Health and Menstrual Hygiene Project, ‘Udaya’
Project Udaya aims to disseminate appropriate knowledge and create awareness among adolescents on menstrual health, child sexual abuse and domestic violence in 5 schools in partnership with Sachhi Saheli. A mass sensitization workshop was organized with the students and the teachers. Identified teachers were intensively trained as Master Trainers to further sensitise students in their respective schools. The students are gradually learning to manage emotions and relationships that is important for leading healthy lifestyles.
Skill Development
Skill up gradation courses are offered to the communities of the rural and urban areas of Hisar. The skill development centers are operational in the rural, slum and urban areas. The students are trained in the basic and advanced courses of Stitching and Tailoring, Dress Designing and Fashion Technology and Beauty Culture. Around 351 students benefitted from the trainings that helped a majority of them develop vocational skills and secure a livelihood.
