Production of
quality iron ore is only one part of NMDC story. NMDC has unique privilege of bringing
remote areas to the main stream of civilization. Besides being top foreign exchange earner
for the country and joint top ranking company under the MOU system earning considerable
profit year after year, NMDC has become a fore runner in the socio-economic and peripheral
development in fulfilling its social obligations. NMDC strongly believes that the well
being of the company cannot be separated from the well being of the neighbouring society.
Around Bailadila – the centre of NMDC’s major activity – there are 20
predominantly tribal villages and NMDC attempts to share the fruits of progress with them
in a bid to improve the quality of their life. A full fledged peripheral development plan
has been drawn up in each project management which finalises annual development schemes in
the area. In Bailadila area, NMDC is spending about Rs.300 lakhs every year on peripheral
development, while at Donimalai in Karnataka about Rs.40 lakhs in a year is being spent
for this purpose.
Some of the peripheral/community
development programmes initiated by NMDC include—
Free educational facilities for the
children of the local adivasis in the project schools.
Construction of new school buildings and
additional class rooms besides undertaking repair and renovation to a number of school
buildings of the State Government in the area including electrification work.
Supply of school uniforms, text books and
other stationery items to the advasi children besides suitable cash awards to the adivasi
children passing out the V standard Board Examination in certain identified tribal schools
to inculcate the positive attitude towards education.
Efforts to establish an ITI at Bhansi
exclusively for tribal youth providing entire infrastructural facilities including
residential quarters and hostel buildings for the students, to develop the local talent
suiting to the needs of NMDC.
A unique "Skill Development
Programme" which includes in house training programme aimed at equipping VIII
standard pass tribal youth to acquire necessary knowledge, skill and proficiency in the
operation of Mine/Plant to help them in seeking employment. During the period of
programme, they are paid out of pocket expenses of Rs.750/- per month besides subsidised
breakfast, lunch, uniforms etc.
Free medical treatment in project
hospitals and frequent camps are conducted for eye, dental, cancer, orthopaedic, family
planning and other health camps where free counselling as well as outdoor and indoor
medical treatment is provided.
Frequent visits of project doctors to the
neighbouring villages for providing medical assistance to the needy and help the District
Administration in extending medical assistance by supply of ambulances, donation of
medical equipment for use in providing medicare in interior villages.
A number of open well/tube wells, hand
pumps and water tanks have been provided for supplying drinking water to the nearby
villages.
Construction of a number of all weather
roads connecting neighbouring villages besides providing street lighting and
electrification of the areas.
