India was envisioned as a country with social equality and justice. However, discrimination prevailing through ages has made the backward classes of our society feel ignored and disregarded, resulting in various grievances.

An overall economic development of society is only possible when the rights and benefits of the socially deprived are introspected upon and catered to. Individuals of the backward classes need to be strengthened through suitable opportunities, thereby securing an inclusive growth of the whole society. Different private organisations have an important role to play in societal development, and, upgrading the living standards of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is one of their major concerns.

This Corporate Social Responsibility acts as a benchmark for the excellence of organisations in their business ascent.

	Role of CII in Affirmative Action As per the stated guidelines of the Confederation of Indian Industries, all enlisted members come under the purview of Affirmative Action. A code of conduct was drafted between the CII and ASSOCHAM back in 1996, with respect to this idea. The respective councils of the two entities monitor the operation module of the member organisations with due regard to Affirmative Action. A number of proposed concrete steps have to be followed by the members, the progress on which are closely monitored by CII. The joint effort of CII and ASSOCHAM acts as a stepping-stone for the success of the citizens representing the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The role of the industry is very crucial in this regard. Following these guidelines, private players have carried out a considerable amount of work in this regard. Professional education and training modules have been imparted to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to absorb them in the work mechanism of business houses. Knowledge building and education are the two basic processes that have been underlined to bring them at par with the others in the society.

Initiatives of Tata Sponge Iron Limited in Affirmative Action

Tata Sponge Iron Limited stands committed to the objective of extending its continuous support to the underprivileged. The statistics provided below indicates the Company's receptiveness to the idea of employing individuals of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to work for the organisation:

Tata Sponge provides ample employment opportunity to individuals of the backward classes. Among the total number of contract labourers that the company hires from time to time, more than 80% represents the SC and ST community. Bulk of the 500 odd contract labourers are from the backward community. 

Some of the initiatives that the company has adopted with relation to Affirmative Action are:

• Creating entrepreneurs stands out as one of the important guidelines laid down by the CII (100 entrepreneurs each year). Tata Sponge Iron Limited has achieved the same by providing concrete support to two entrepreneurs.
  
  
• The company has also provided a power tiller to a group of 5 youths for agricultural purpose, which act as a business avenue for these unemployed youths. To meet the total cost of Rs.1.35 lakhs, the company made a significant contribution of Rs.95,000/- while the youths had to pay a moderate sum of Rs.5000.
  
  The balance was organised from government incentive schemes. Two of the youths in the group belong to the SC/ST community.

• CII urges corporates to coach students in close association with universities. The aim is to impart formal training to 10,000 students covering 100 universities nationally. Tata Sponge Iron Limited has tied up with Maa Gramshri College, Naradpur for supporting the idea. The Company's initiative to sponsor the tuition fee of teachers who take extra classes of SC/ST at Maa Gramshri College, Naradapur is continuing and regular tuitions are being imparted.
  
  
• CII Guidelines recommend providing scholarships to students for pursuing prestigious courses (a total of 100 scholarships). Tata Sponge has underlined its intention to provide scholarship to one student who would qualify under the FAEA Scheme of Tata Sons.
  
  
• Conforming to CII guidelines of upgrading ITI programmes in collaboration with the government, the Company is in the process of making a humble contribution in improving the basic needs of Barbil ITI.
  
  
• CII urges private companies to partner with NGOs to improve government primary schools in districts with predominant SC/ST population. Tata Sponge has already undertaken this initiative successfully.
  
  Under the education programme, the Company has allocated a sum of Rs.12 lakhs this year for construction of new classrooms in schools that predominantly cater to students of the SC/ST community. Another Rs.2 lakhs have been allocated for providing desks, notebooks, course materials and other ancillary necessities of education. The company has also recently installed drinking water facility inside the Chandrasekhar college campus. The allotted budget for the same is Rs. 2.50 lakhs.
  
  
• Tata Sponge extends help to 5 SC/ST students by providing 50% of their tuition fees.