On 04.02.2026, the Ministry of Mines addressed Unstarred Question No. †764 regarding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies in mining areas. The Minister of Mines stated that the three Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the Ministry’s control – National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL) – have CSR policies. These policies align with the Companies Act, 2013, and Department of Public Enterprises guidelines, undertaking initiatives in rural development, education, healthcare, sanitation, safe drinking water, livelihood & skill development, and environmental sustainability. The initiatives focus on inclusive growth and sustainable community development in and around operational areas, with emphasis on Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe populations.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Mines: The central ministry responsible for the policy, overseeing PSUs' CSR activities.
Companies Act, 2013: The law under which the PSUs formulate their CSR policies.
Department of Public Enterprises: The department that issued guidelines for PSUs' CSR policies, which are being followed.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): The type of policy being discussed and its contribution to rural areas.
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL): The PSUs under the Ministry of Mines that have CSR policies.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †764
ANSWERED ON THE 04.02.2026
CSR POLICY IN MINING AREAS
†764. DR. SAMBIT PATRA:
Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:
whether the Public Sector Undertakings under the Ministry of Mines have formulated
any Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy to contribute to the development of
rural areas and areas with significant Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe
populations in the country and if so, the details thereof?”
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF MINES AND COAL
(SHRI G KISHAN REDDY)
Yes. There are three PSUs under the administrative control of Ministry of Mines
namely National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited
(HCL) and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL). All three PSUs
have their CSR policies, in line with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and
the guidelines issued by the Department of Public Enterprises.
Under their CSR policies, the PSUs undertake various initiatives in the fields of rural
development, education, healthcare, sanitation, safe drinking water, livelihood & skill
development, environmental sustainability etc. These initiatives are designed to
ensure inclusive growth and sustainable development of communities in and around
their operational areas, with special emphasis on development of rural areas and
areas with significant Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe population.
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