PPT blazes new trail in CSR activities

OST Business Bureau
Paradip, Sep 4:

Paradip Port Trust (PPT), which increased its cargo handling capacity to 106 million tonnes (MT) per annum, the highest among all major ports in the country, in the current fiscal, has also blazed a new trail in peripheral development through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.

During 2012-13, PPT has increased its CSR spending to Rs 5.62 crore from Rs 4.38 crore in 2011-12.

A literacy drive involving 102 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) carried out by Paradip Saksharata Samiti is among the major thrust areas of PPT’s CSR activities.

Besides, it has also undertaken a variety of programmes like vocational training on tailoring, mushroom cultivation, making phenyl, candles and pickles are conducted for needy women to make them self-sufficient. Sanitation and public health, drinking water and street lighting, family welfare, promotion of sports and culture, maintenance of roads and sewerage system, contribution to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF), relief operations by the port in case of natural calamities and upgrade and development of schools and colleges are some of the other activities by the CSR wing of the port.

Steps have also been taken to set up a blood bank in the Port Trust Hospital for collection, storage, preservation and transfusion of blood.

To ensure safe conveyance of critical patients to Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, PPT has decided to engage air-conditioned ambulances.

In recognition of its CSR activities, PPT was recently conferred with the Think Odisha CSR Award-2013. PPT chairman Sudhansu Sekhara Mishra received the award from chief minister Naveen Patnaik.