MANOJ SINHA
Ramgarh, Dec 14: Jindal Steel & Power (JSP) Limited has been honoured with FICCI CSR Special Commendation Award for its efforts to counter the Covid-19 pandemic.
JSP, under the leadership of its Chairman Naveen Jindal, was among the few organisations in India to take up multidimensional initiatives, supporting the community and government to fight the Covid-19 spread in India.
Through its CSR arm JSP Foundation led by Shallu Jindal, the steelmaker started a series of on-the-ground services to ease the suffering of the poor and vulnerable immediately following the pandemic’s onset in India.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda presented the prestigious award to company executives in New Delhi.
“Covid-19 pandemic affected the society, economy and health infrastructure of the entire nation. The poor and vulnerable were the worst affected. As a responsible corporate citizen, Jindal Steel & Power joined the Government and the community by building hospital facilities, providing liquid medical oxygen, feeding the hungry and protecting the livelihood of the vulnerable community during the lockdown to fight the pandemic,” said Shallu Jindal, Chairperson of JSP Foundation in a statement.
Immediately after the announcement of the lockdown in 2020, JSP launched a special initiative, ‘Mission Zero Hunger ‘ in three states Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand to feed truck drivers, stranded migrant labourers, and the poor. This initiative was later extended to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra where the foundation delivered more than 2 million meals.
During the second wave, the steelmaker supplied over 5,000 tonnes of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) by road and Indian Railway’s Oxygen Express to 13 states. It also provided two cryogenic tankers to the Government of Odisha for LMO transportation.
For health care services, JSP designated 700 Oxygen beds in its Fortis OP Jindal Hospital & Research Centre in Raigarh and Tamnar, Chhattisgarh and specialised Covid Care Centre at Angul, supported by ICUs, ventilators, and other capabilities.
The foundation also distributed face masks and sanitisers amongst the community and the frontline COVID – 19 warriors. Multiple buyback arrangements by the Foundation also protected the livelihood of farmers and SHG Women.
