1. Concept
1.1 Short Title & Applicability
This policy shall apply to all CSR initiatives and activities undertaken by SLN, focusing on social, educational, and environmental causes on a regular basis. We firmly believe that to succeed, an organisation must maintain the highest standards of corporate behaviour towards its stakeholders, employees and societies in which it operates.
1.2 CSR Vision Statement & Objective
In alignment with the vision of the company, SLN, through its CSR initiatives, will continue to enhance value creation in the society and in the community in which it operates, through its services, conduct and initiatives, to promote sustained growth for the society and community, in fulfillment of its role as a socially responsible corporate, with environmental concern.
- Ensure an increased commitment at all levels in the organisation to operating its business in an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable manner while recognising the interests of all its stakeholders.
- Directly or indirectly take up programmes that benefit the communities in and around its work centres and result, over a period, in enhancing the quality of life and economic well-being of the local populace.
- Generate goodwill in communities where SLN operates or is likely to operate.
2. Resources & Areas To Be Covered
For achieving its CSR objectives through the implementation of meaningful and sustainable CSR programmes, SLN will allocate 2% of its average annual net profits made during the 3 immediately preceding financial years as its Annual CSR Budget.
From the annual CSR Budget allocation, a provision will be made towards the CSR activities made under relevant expenditure heads, on a year-on-year basis as per the amount spent on the activities covered under Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 and amendment thereon.
- Eradicating hunger, poverty and malnutrition; promoting healthcare, preventive healthcare, sanitation and safe drinking water.
- Promoting education, special education, vocational skills and livelihood enhancement projects.
- Promoting gender equality, empowering women, supporting women, orphans, senior citizens and disadvantaged groups.
- Ensuring environmental sustainability, ecological balance, protection of flora and fauna, animal welfare and conservation of natural resources.
- Protection of national heritage, art and culture; public libraries; traditional arts and handicrafts.
- Measures for the benefit of armed forces veterans, war widows and their dependents.
- Training to promote rural, nationally recognised, paralympic and Olympic sports.
- Contribution to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund or other approved Central Government funds for socio-economic development and welfare.
- Contributions to approved technology incubators located within academic institutions.
- Rural development projects.
- Slum area development.
2.2 Area to be Covered
As per Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, the Company shall give preference to the local area and areas around it where it operates, for spending the amount earmarked for CSR activities.
3. Planning
For purposes of focusing its CSR efforts in a continued and effective manner, the following thrust areas have been identified:
3.2 Scope for Strategic CSR Initiatives
Considering the facts, the Company, to the extent feasible, undertakes strategic CSR initiatives in areas that align with its business operations, such as the following:
3.2.1 Education / Literacy Enhancement
- Construction and extension of school and college buildings, classrooms and laboratory facilities.
- Support to technical and vocational institutions.
- Academic education through financial assistance to schools and colleges, including special education.
- Adult literacy, especially amongst those belonging to the BPL.
- Awareness programmes on girl education.
- Education, training and rehabilitation of mentally and physically challenged children/persons and counselling of parents.
- Legal awareness among people and disadvantaged sections of society.
- Promotion of professional education by setting up educational institutions.
- Support for poor and meritorious students, preferably girls, to enable uninterrupted education.
3.2.2 Environment Protection / Horticulture
- Financial assistance for environment management and pollution control.
- Green belt development.
- Afforestation, social forestry, check dams and parks.
- Development of agro-product livelihood activities.
- Plantation of fruit-bearing saplings.
- Animal care.
3.2.3 Infrastructure Development
- Alternative and renewable-energy infrastructure in nearby villages.
- Community kitchens powered by natural gas or alternative energy.
- Infrastructure support for old-age homes, auditoriums, playgrounds, parks and municipal/corporation initiatives.
3.2.4 Drinking Water / Sanitation
- Installation and repair of hand pumps and tube wells.
- Digging and renovation of wells.
- Gainful utilisation of wastewater.
- Development and construction of water tanks and ponds.
- Rainwater-harvesting schemes.
- Volunteer awareness programmes on responsible use of drinking water.
- Empowering villagers to maintain water facilities.
- Construction of toilets in villages and schools and solid waste disposal.
3.2.5 Healthcare / Medical Facility
The CSR policy includes healthcare and medical facility interventions intended for community welfare and support, aligned to the needs of the local area.
3.2.6 Community Development / Social Empowerment
- Education and training to improve employability among disadvantaged sections of society.
- Formation of cooperative societies to encourage self-employment opportunities.
- Support for small landholders to develop mushroom farming, medicinal plants and other cash crops.
- Training from agricultural experts for farming initiatives.
- Vocational training programmes for women in tailoring, embroidery, food production, painting, interior decoration and other skills.
3.2.7 Contribution to Social Welfare Funds
Contribution to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund or any other fund set up by the Central Government for socio-economic development and relief, and welfare of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, other disadvantaged classes, minorities and women.
3.2.8 Relief for Victims from Natural Calamities
- Providing clothes.
- Supplying food and water.
- Providing shelter.
- Healthcare and medical treatment for victims.
- Rebuilding houses.
4. Implementation
CSR programmes will be implemented by the company either on its own or through specialised agencies / implementing agencies like NGOs, Trusts, Missions, elected local bodies, Panchayats, Self Help Groups, Mahila Mandals, community-based organisations and other entities eligible to undertake CSR activities under the Companies Act, 2013 and applicable rules.
The Board shall adopt an Annual Action Plan in pursuance of this CSR policy covering the list of CSR projects/programmes, manner of execution, utilisation of funds, monitoring and reporting mechanisms, and impact assessment where applicable. The Board may alter the Annual Action Plan during the financial year based on reasonable justification.
To meet immediate and urgent situations, the Managing Director is authorised to approve proposals which are subsequently brought to the Board’s attention.
All CSR initiatives of the company will form part of the Annual Report. The CSR Policy shall be implemented by the Board in conformity with the Companies Act, 2013.
The Board shall obtain necessary information from management, if required, to satisfy itself regarding implementation of the CSR activities approved by the Board.
5. General
- Any or all provisions of the CSR Policy would be subject to revision / amendment in accordance with guidelines issued by the Government from time to time.
- The Company reserves the right to modify, cancel, add, or amend any of these Policy Rules.