Working with communities
Working with the communities in which the Group
operates is critical to the ongoing success of its
operations and an important element of the Group’s
philosophy and culture.
The Sterlite Foundation is financially supported
by the Group. The Sterlite Foundation helps under
privileged young people by providing them with computer
training. The Foundation has set up 230 computer training
institutes nationwide. IT training is also provided
to inmates at more than 20 prisons in India. Sterlite
Foundation is also engaged in other social improvement
programmes.
Group operations bring employment opportunities,
both through direct employment and indirectly through
supporting activities in the local and regional economies.
The Group has a policy of recruiting local people
where possible.
In addition to the numerous informal routes for understanding
local community concerns or needs, Group employees
regularly meet with elected representatives of the
local communities. The Group takes an active role
in supporting local needs of which the following are
examples:
Hindustan Zinc
- Contributed Rs. 51 million (US$1.1 million) for
drought relief work in Rajasthan, which included
supply of drinking water and the deepening of wells
for surrounding villages, cattle camps to provide
much needed fodder, water and veterinary services.
- Provided 30% of the funds of around Rs. 180 million
(US$4.1 million) required for the Mansi Wakal Project,
the construction of a dam to supply water for that
region, which will be completed during 2005.
- Contributed Rs. 63 million (US$1.4 million) for
the construction of the Hindustan Zinc Cardiology Centre in
Udaipur. It was inaugurated in April 2003 and is
now operated by the Government of Rajasthan.
- Contributed Rs. 5 million (US$0.1 million) for
the construction of a cultural centre in eastern
India.
