Social Concern
TSIL's corporate philosophy governing public responsibilities & social obligations flows out of the vision and foresight of Jamshetji Nusserwanji Tata, the founder of Tata group. He advocated the growth of communities in the vicinity, alongwith employees. Tata Sponge Iron Limited accepts its responsibility to make numerous endeavors of goodwill and welfare for the less privileged, to enable their growth through self-empowerment. This is a constant pursuit in line with the Mission set by the Company which, amongst other things, states:
“Based on values of the Tata heritage, Tata Sponge Iron Limited shall endeavour to return to society what it earns by creating a difference in the lives of people in its immediate surroundings.”
Company’s endeavours in this direction are:
Education
Through close knit operations with educational institutions, TSIL helps in propagating knowledge, both at the grass root level and to the ageing illiterate population of the surrounding villages, through its non-formal education programme. Besides, it has been regularly undertaking major repair work in various primary schools in its immediate surrounding. It has also constructed many class rooms and provided regular financial assistance for furniture & libraries of schools, besides contributing educational supplies, such as science apparatus, computer and sports kit.
Drinking Water
TSIL has adopted a twofold strategy to counteract the shortage of water in its vicinity. Deep water tube wells have been installed in the villages and training has been imparted to the village residents for maintenance of these tube wells to ensure perennial availability of potable water. More than 20 tube wells & ring wells have so far been dug in the 50 villages in TSIL's surroundings.
Medicare
TSIL organizes weekly health camps in its nearby villages with the help of its medical team, comprising of a professional doctor and support staff. Preliminary check-ups are conducted and medicines distributed free of cost. Besides, the Company organises camps for family planning, cancer detection, eye care, blood donation, etc.
Employment
Many employment opportunities have been created by TSIL, in the following forms:
Direct jobs: As an act of benevolence, all those persons whose lands were acquired by the Company for construction of its plant, township & railway siding, received one job each for their piece of land, besides the mutually agreed cost of the land. Apart from this, all unskilled jobs were offered mostly to the locals and preference was given to local people for all other semi-skilled & skilled jobs. More than 90% of the unionised jobs have been given to locals.
Indirect jobs: Over 500 contract labours earn their wages by performing temporary jobs at TSIL. Besides, Bilaipada market located close to the plant has grown from a mere 4 shops in 1986 to over 150 shops in strength, thus providing source of earning to many local youths.
Ancillary jobs: Many of companies operational and maintenance needs have been off-loaded to agencies, which have come up in the vicinity of TSIL and are primarily dependent on TSIL for their business, employing local youths.
Others
Besides, the company has constructed an overbridge on river Sona that flows in its vicinity. Built at a cost of Rs. 25 lakh, this has helped the residents of six major villages who, in the absence of a bridge, faced severe difficulties.
The company has earmarks funds every year for peripheral development.