OIL signs pact with IRMA for studying the feasibility of Project ‘Kamdhenu’

PSU (Public Sector Unit) Oil India Ltd. has inked an agreement with Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA) to conduct a feasibility study for the company for its plan to set up dairy production facility in Assam. The project which has been named ‘Kamdhenu’ aims to set up big milk production centre in Upper Assam.

Why OIL intends to enter dairy sector?

OIL wants to set up dairy production facility under its project ‘Kamdhenu’ as part of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The project would seek to boost milk production in Upper Assam by providing employment opportunity to the people of the state. In future, the project aims to enhance the production to supply milk and dairy products in the whole North-East region. The project derives inspiration from the ‘Amul’ model which has been very successful in Gujarat.

What is the role of IRMA in this project?

As per the agreement with Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA) in Gujarat, the institute has the task of conducting feasibility study and prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) after the study in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam where Oil India Ltd (OIL) has significant presence. The DPR will help the company to devise a roadmap and a long-term broad vision plan for the project.

What is CSR?

As mentioned in the new Companies Act 2009, CSR or Corporate Social Responsibility is the obligation of the companies to spend 2% of their net profit in philanthropic activities every year.
The law was meant to be applicable for all companies with

1. a net worth of Rs 500 crore or more, or
2. a turnover of Rs 1,000 crore or more, or
3. a net profit of Rs 5 crore or more

Responding to the objections raised by corporate sector against this mandatory provision, the government has recently diluted it. Now, if a company is unable to do so, it will have to explain in its report as to why it could not fulfill its CSR obligations.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2014