CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) IN PUBLIC SECTOR ENTERPRISES : A STUDY OF NALCO

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has emerged as a crucial component of sustainable business strategies for Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) in India, moving beyond philanthropy toward a, social license to operate. This study investigates the CSR initiatives of the National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Mines, focusing on its periphery development, health, education, and environmental initiatives in Odisha. NALCO stands out by adopting a comprehensive approach, directing its CSR initiatives through the NALCO Foundation, with a dedicated focus on the marginalized sections, tribal communities, and displaced families in Damanjodi and Angul. Key initiatives include operating Mobile Health Units (MHUs), promoting education through the NALCO Ki Ladli scheme and infrastructure support, and implementing large scale skill development programs, such as tailoring and motor winding, to enhance employability. Environmental stewardship is prominent, with NALCO planting over seven million trees and adopting solar energy initiatives in peripheral villages. The study finds that NALCO effectively utilizes 2% of its net profit to fund social developmental projects, significantly increasing the living standards of communities within its 25-kilometer operational radius. The research highlights that NALCOs CSR activities create a positive impact on both its community relationships and the employee job attitude, fostering a mutually beneficial partnership.