New Delhi: The Ministry of Coal today organized a stakeholders’ consultation at the SCOPE Complex, New Delhi, to deliberate on developing a sector-specific Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework for Indian coal companies.
The consultation saw the participation of senior officers from the Ministry of Coal alongside representatives from major Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) including Coal India Limited, NLC India Limited, and Singareni Collieries Company Limited, as well as several private sector coal companies.
Currently, the CSR policies of Coal PSUs are guided by the policy directives under the Companies Act, 2013, the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014, and guidelines issued by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE). Coal PSUs have historically implemented significant initiatives across key sectors such as health, education, environment, sanitation, and sports.
However, recognizing the increasing participation of private players in the coal sector, a consensus has emerged on the need for a dedicated, sector-specific CSR framework. This framework is intended to serve as a comprehensive guide, promoting responsible and sustainable practices, mitigating environmental impact, and enhancing stakeholder engagement among both private and public sector coal companies in the country.