Facing NGO protests,NPCIL selects 75 it will fund,support

NPCIL seems set to counter NGOs campaigning against atomic energy.

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) seems set to counter NGOs campaigning against atomic energy with another group of NGOs it will fund and support,so as to build a positive image of the public sector nuclear monopoly.

Close on the heels of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh blaming foreign NGOs for fuelling protests against the Koodankulam nuclear power project in Tamil Nadu,NPCIL has begun the process of collaborating with NGOs across the country to conduct social activities and fund these from its generous budget meant for corporate social responsibility (CSR) at locations where its nuclear plants are operating or where projects are coming up.

Officials said the company has shortlisted 75 local NGOs and will collaborate with them on education,health and infrastructure.

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NPCIL had asked for expression of interest from NGOs. Accordingly,we have now shortlisted 75 NGOs. We are in the process of collaborating with them in areas like infrastructure,education and health across the country at our operating and future sites, said S K Tapkir,Executive Director (Rehabilitation and Resettlement),NPCIL.

This is the first time that we are collaborating with NGOs to work on social activities. They have local connect and expertise, he added.

The NGOs shortlisted are from Delhi,Lucknow,Chennai,Kolkata,Bangalore,Allahabad,Mumbai,Ratnagiri,Noida,Hyderabad,Kanpur,Hyderabad and Jaipur,among others. The exact nature of the association is yet to be finalised,officials said.

Under the guidelines of the Department of Public Enterprises,NPCIL currently spends upto 2 per cent of its profits on CSR. In 2010-11,Rs 24 crore approximately was used for CSR.

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