Tata Power's CSR programmes reach out to over 1.05mn community members in FY18

Tata Power, India’s largest integrated power company, on Thursday, said that its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives have reached out to over 1.05mn community members living in and around its operational areas during the financial year 2017-18.

In line with the Tata Group’s legacy of playing an active role in improving the lives of local communities, Tata Power, during the year, took a 360-degree approach for social inclusion through strategic initiatives in the focus areas of education, livelihood & employability, water (drinking & irrigation), health & sanitation, financial inclusivity, social capital & institution building, and renewable energy.

The company’s CSR initiatives covered 1.05mn community members living in and around its operational areas in India across 320 villages in 13 states and one union territory (Delhi) based on its focus areas.

Under financial inclusivity, the company was able to link 1.5 lakh community people to secure benefits in various government schemes. Within social capital, the company covered 95,000 community members. It covered 32,000 farmers and youth under farm and non-farm interventions with increased income levels. The company’s focused communication to enable behavioral changes resulted in safe water, health, and sanitation practices adoption by over 6.08 lakh people. Under its education excellence initiative, 1.6 lakh children’s academic performance was improved.

The company has also implemented several initiatives for employment, entrepreneurship, employability, education, and essential amenities for the communities around its operating sites, under its Affirmative Action Program. The company supported 1,192 SHG (self-help group) members from the Affirmative Action community for income generation activities like poultry, handicrafts etc., while 5,228 youths from Dalit and tribal communities were trained by TPSDI (Tata Power Skill Development Institute) to help find a livelihood in the power sector. The company also supported 1,539 Dalit and tribal farmers in systemic rice intensification, improved varieties of seeds, advanced technology, and integrated watershed management practices.

Supporting the philosophy of Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission, the company collaborated with local administration for water sanitation and undertook hygiene issues to make Open Defecation-Free Villages through community-led total sanitation campaigns.

Praveer Sinha, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Power, said, “In line with the Tata Group ethos, we at Tata Power believe in improving the quality of life of our communities and being a neighbor of choice by implementing strategic CSR initiatives.”