AAI is taking up CSR initiatives and promoting sustainability to empower underprivileged communities near India’s airports and create an environment of inclusivity
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a business approach that contributes to sustainable development by delivering economic, social and environmental benefits to all stakeholders. It is a concept with multiple definitions. Generally understood as being the way through which a company achieves a balance of economic, environmental and social imperative, it also addresses the expectations of shareholders and stakeholders.
Airports Authority of India (AAI) is continuously exploring the opportunities where it can serve the society and is therefore, gradually increasing its expenditure on CSR and other welfare activities. The organisation aims to achieve, consolidate and strengthen good corporate governance including socially and environmentally responsible business practices that balance financial profit with social well-being.
As a socially-responsible enterprise, AAI is committed to serve the society and is making efforts to enhance the quality of life of the people from the underprivileged sections of the society, especially those residing near its airports.
Keeping this bid to be socially responsible in place, here are some of the CSR and welfare initiatives undertaken by AAI:
Skills Development Programme
AAI and Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC) signed two MoU’s for Employment-Oriented Training and Skill Development programme of unemployed youth, the SCs, STs and OBCs, women and EWS of Society for 2000 persons pan-India and North East Region for Rs 10.59 crore each. This programme is for underprivileged/poor sections of society, specifically in the Northeast region.
The initiative has been further reinforced by including a clause in General Conditions of Contracts in AAI’s construction project works which state that around 20 per cent of the labour force at any stage of construction on projects should be trained, tested and certified.
Mechanised central kitchen for mid-day meal in Assam
AAI has signed a MoU with the state government of Assam and Akshaya Patra for Rs 15.71 crore for construction and setup of a Mechanised Central Kitchen in Assam for providing mid-day meals. This will serve the under-privileged students from government schools access to nutritious, warm and healthy food.
Construction of toilets, drinking water and other infrastructure in government schools
Since 2014 to 15, AAI, in co-ordination with the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), under the Swachh Vidyalaya initiative, has constructed more than 1,500 toilets in approximately 800 government schools, thereby benefitting more than 1,00,000 underprivileged students. Till March 31, 2018, more than Rs 29 crore has been spent on the construction of these toilets.
Installation of proper sanitation practices and awareness camps in 20 cities
AAI, through Kalyanmayee, its women welfare association, will spend Rs 5.98 crore on the installation of sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators at various schools, community centers and slum areas and will be organising awareness camps in 20 cities across the country.
Providing Radiotherapy equipment in government hospital in Chennai
The organisation has signed an MoU to provide Radiotherapy equipment (linear accelerator and brachytherapy) in government hospital in Chennai amounting to Rs 18.5 crore.
Low Energy Linear Accelerator for cancer unit AIIMS, Rishikesh
The project accounts for Rs 10 crore for the procurement of Low Energy Linear Accelerator for the cancer unit at AIIMS, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.
Construction of a community hall
It has provided assistance for construction of a community hall at Garal, Kamrup, Guwahati for Rs 2.35 crore.
Providing funds for pharmacy and medical canteen-cum-waiting hall
The organisation has signed an MoU for the construction of pharmacy and medical canteen-cum-waiting hall in Roing, Arunachal Pradesh amounting to Rs 80 lakh.
Providing funds for Cochlear implant surgery to ALIMCO
To sponsor 200 underprivileged children, the AAI signed an MoU with the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation Of India (ALIMCO), amounting to for Rs 134.10 million.
Empowering people against Hepatitis through empathy campaign
Project Empathy, a four-year project being implemented by AAI and ILBS, is focussed on empowering people against hepatitis. The comprehensive campaign aims to de-stigmatise hepatitis and create an enabling environment for infected individuals and their families for social participation and care seeking. AAI has committed Rs 5 crore for FY 2018-19.
Promoting holistic sustainable development in villages
AAI and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in India have signed an MoA on a new partnership to enhance livelihood opportunities and provide better living standards to communities living near airports in Assam and Jharkhand for Rs 10 crore.
