Role of CSR in Business Ethics at IOCL

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) is rightly considered as the ‘Energy of India’ as it efficiently meets the energy needs of millions across the nation, along with understanding the role of CSR in business ethics. It is revolutionizing the Indian energy arena with a sizeable presence in nearly all the streams of oil and gas, petrochemicals and alternative energy resources. Owing to its consistent efforts, IOCL ranked 168^th among the world’s largest corporates that figured on the august Fortune Global 500 Companies-2017.

For growing economies like India, sustainable development is the way forward. Along with its productive business activities, IOCL focuses equally on CSR activities with the aim to bring about inclusive and sustainable development. The following Corporate Social Responsibility projects reflect the corporation’s intent to enhance the quality of lives of people along with its agenda of growth and progress.

1. LPG Scheme for BPL families: This project provides for a one time grant to BPL families in the rural areas for new LPG connections. During 2015-16, 22.8 lakh new connections were released by Indian Oil and cumulatively, 32.4 lakh BPL families have benefitted from this scheme.
2. Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan: This project was launched by the government of India in 2014 to champion the cause of cleanliness and hygiene. Various events like cleanliness drives, debates, street plays etc. were organized by IOCL to sensitize its employees and the general public on the issue.
3. Swacch Vidyalaya Abhiyaan: Under this project, Indian Oil took the initiative to construct/repair 2855 toilets in government schools across 16 States. IOCL successively achieved its targets within the stipulated timeline against heavy odds.
4. Indian Oil’s Assam Oil Division Hospital, Digboi, Assam: This hospital was established in the year 1906 at Digboi and is equipped with modern equipments and facilities. It offers quality healthcare services at affordable prices. Regular healthcare camps are organized to cater to the medical needs of the poor villagers. During 2015-16, 16, 423 non-employee patients were treated at this hospital.
5. Swarna Jayanti Samudayik Hospital, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh: It is a 50 bed hospital which provides medical assistance to the people living near Mathura refinery, Uttar Pradesh. Free medical care is provided to the villagers through two mobile dispensaries. During 2015-16, 52, 660 patients were treated and about 8 lakh patients have benefitted from this project till date.
6. Sarve Santu Niramaya (SSN), Digboi, Assam: Commenced in 2012, this is a unique CSR project which offers free medical consultation and medicines to both human beings and livestock population of Digboi and areas nearby. Regular health camps are conducted for them. In 2015-16, 2500 patients and 12,200 livestock were treated and so far, 5400 patients and 57,000 livestock have been treated under this project.
7. Assam Oil School of Nursing & Assam Oil College Of Nursing: Established in the year 1986, this institution offers professional nursing courses to young girls. It provides the young and underprivileged girls with employment opportunities in prestigious public and private hospitals across the nation and even abroad. Sixteen students successfully completed the General Nursing and Midwifery course during 2015-16 and since its inception, 391 students have successfully completed the course with 100% placement record.
8. Indian Oil Multi-Skill Development Institute, Digboi, Assam: This institute was established in the year 2014 with the objective to provide training on skills and competencies associated with industries. Presently, skills are imparted in areas of electrical repair and maintenance, masonry and bar bending (construction), welding, hospitality, retail, beauty and wellness, medical equipment operation, auto and two-wheeler services and maintenance and so on. Every year, 400 people receive vocational training under this project. During 2016-17, 271 people were trained and 388 beneficiaries have been trained and certified in various trades so far.
9. Shikshak Dakshata Vikas Abhiyaan, Digboi, Assam: This unique training initiative was launched in the year 2012. It has been undertaken in collaboration with the Department of Education, Government of Assam. The aim is to enhance the soft skills of the teachers in government schools. Eighty one teachers were trained during 2015-16 and 355 teachers from schools covering 42 villages in and around Digboi have been trained so far.
10. Indian Oil Academic Scholarship Scheme: Scholarships are awarded to 2600 underprivileged and meritorious students pursuing full-time courses in 10+/ITI, Engineering, Medical and MBA. A percentage of scholarships are reserved for girl students, SC/ST/OBC students and Persons with Disabilities (PWD); 3,137 students benefitted from this scheme during 2016-17 and more than 15,000 students have benefitted from this program till date.
11. Indian Oil Sports Scholarship Scheme: This scheme was introduced in 2006-07 to favour young and talented sports persons representing the state. Currently, upcoming junior players in the age group of 14-19 years are awarded scholarships in 20 games/sports. Along with the scholarship amount of three years, IOCL also covers the cost of kit items, travel, lodging etc.

• Indian Oil Muskaan: One in a thousand children in India is born with a cleft lip. It is disheartening that this medical concern is often considered as a social stigma, especially for girls. The surgery is quite expensive and poses serious challenges for the economically impoverished people. IOCL started this project to bring back the smile on people’s faces. Corrective surgeries were carried out on 204 persons (including 90 girls) during 2015-16 from 26 districts in Assam.

IOCL has added myriad feathers to its cap by enhancing the role of corporate social responsibility in business ethics. The firm has won numerous awards and accolades for the same. Following is the list of their achievements:

1. Governance Now PSU Award 2016 (Jury’s Choice) for CSR Initiatives.
2. Best PSU-Public Sector Training program by ASSOCHAM, New Delhi.
3. Global CSR Excellence & Leadership Awards by Blue Dart
4. Global CSR Excellence & Leadership Award for women empowerment by ABP News.
5. Best Performing company award; Best CSR & Sustainability Award; Best Global presence Award by India Today PSU Awards.
6. Best PSU implementing CSR; 2nd prize by Public Relations Society of India for IOC CSR.
7. Best CSR Project for Women Development for Assam Oil School of Nursing by Public Relations Society of India
8. Felicitation to Indian Oil on contributions towards Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyaan by Sulabh International.

IOCL has wonderfully aligned its CSR strategy with the provisions and guidelines of the Companies Act, 2013. Without an iota of doubt, the sincere efforts of the corporation have positively transformed the quality of life of the local communities and widened the concept of growth and development.