‘We spend around `100 crore per year towards various CSR activities’
NEW DELHI: Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) is one of the youngest subsidiaries of Coal India Limited but is already on its way to become the largest coal producer in the country by the end of this financial year. Anil Kumar Jha, chairmancum-managing director, is confident that the company will emerge as one of leading employers with new projects and opportunities. Excerpts from an interview:
What is MCL’s target to be achieved by 2020?
Till December 2015, MCL had already produced 90.05 million ton (MT) coal, removed 65.43 MT OB and dispatched 94.95 MT dry fuel to the consumers, indicating a growth of 10.9%, 10.7% and 12% respectively. We are definitely in a position from where we can easily achieve production of 250 million tonne of coal by 2020, given a mining-enabling atmosphere with adequate cooperation from the state administration.
How can MCL contribute towards the energy demand of India?
MCL is strategically heading towards the business of power generation. The company is setting up a 2x800MW super critical thermal power plant near its operations at Basundhara area in Sundargarh district in Odisha.
What are your major CSR activities?
The company spends around `100 crore per year towards various CSR activities. Construction of a hockey excellence centre in the district of Sundargarh at an expense of `25 crore is under consideration.
Has MCL forayed into talent recognition in sports?
MCL, to a great extent, has been extending its support towards the promotion of hockey. We co-hosted the eight-nation Championship Trophy at Bhubaneswar and co-own the franchise of Kalinga Lancers for Annual Hockey India League with IDCO (a state PSU). Budding hockey players with outstanding performance are provided cash prizes. Three outstanding players from the state — Saina Salonika for chess, Amiya Kumar Mallick for athletics and Manaswini Maharana for windsurfing — are our brand ambassadors.
So do you see MCL as a major employer?
MCL has provided employment to 12,070 people who lost their land till the end of October this year, which is more than half of its total manpower. With new projects and opportunities, the number will go up.