India is widely known as an agrarian economy and as most of its allied activities are carried out in the rural areas, it is safe to call Rural India a backbone of the Indian economy. Rural India is also home to 70% of population. Therefore, it becomes important to cater to the needs of rural India and work for its overall development in order to strengthen the Economy.  Below are top 10 Rural development projects implemented under Corporate Social Responsibility in India based on the CSR funds allocation of each company in the Financial Year 2019-20

1. The Holistic Rural Development Project (HRDP)

Source: HDFC Bank Limited

Name of the Company: HDFC Bank Limited

Location: Pan India

Implementing Agencies: Abhyuday Sansthan; Action for Agricultural Renewal in Maharashtra AFARM; Aga Khan Rural Support Programme India; Ambuja Cement Foundation; AROH Foundation; BAIF Development Research Foundation; M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation; Manjari Foundation; Professional Assistance for Development Action; S.M. Sehgal Foundation, etc.

The total expenditure of the Project (in Cr): INR 381.5

Total Prescribed CSR 2019-20 (in Cr.): INR 534

The Bank’s flagship program; the Holistic Rural Development Programme (HRDP) endeavors to provide tools and means to the rural population to grow and prosper. Firstly, the critical needs of the chosen villages are identified and addressed in consultation with the village community and other stakeholders. This is followed by implementation of a bouquet of initiatives basis the need and acceptance levels of uptake by the community. All programs are continuously monitored and assessed for performance and inconsistencies if any, in terms of funds or execution is flagged off. HRDP is aligned with the government’s Adarsh Gaon Abhiyan. Projects under the HRDP range from school infrastructure to household sanitation, sustainable agricultural practices to accessible drinking, and irrigation water and renewable energy sources (solar, biogas, biomass) to alternative sources of livelihood. Through the project they have touched more than 4 Lakh households across 1,282 villages in 17 states.x`

Brief about the Company:

HDFC Bank Limited is an Indian banking and financial services company headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is the fifth largest bank in India by assets, incorporated in 1994. It is the largest private sector bank in India by market capitalization as of 24 February 2014.

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2.  HCL Samuday

Source: HCL foundation

Name of the Company: HCL Technologies Limited

Location: Uttar Pradesh

Implementing Partner: HCL foundation

The total expenditure of the Project (in Cr): INR 97.08

Total Prescribed CSR 2019-20 (in Cr.): INR 173.01

A rural development initiative, HCL Samuday, was launched in 2015 with an aim to develop a sustainable, scalable, and replicable model – source code for economic and social development of rural areas. Currently implemented in three blocks of Hardoi district in Uttar Pradesh, the program covers 164 Gram Panchayats, comprising of 765 villages and 90,000 households totaling a population of 6,00,000 people. Samuday, through its interventions across six verticals for holistic rural development – agriculture, education, health, infrastructure, livelihood, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), has so far been able to make prominent changes onground. It has benefitted 39,000+ farms through various agriculture-related interventions; increased access to Nutritional Food Security by establishing Nutrition Gardens at 2,700+ households with around 13,000 members; and supported establishment of a Farmer Producer Company with 2,129 shareholders and it has so far crossed business turnover of 6,85,00,000. Ensuring improved school education for 55,000+ children in the project area; 326 happy Schools with effective school environment, ICT-enabled learning, assertive community participation, and improved teaching learning processes through happy school intervention; and 48,000+ adults enrolled in adult literacy batches. Over 20,000 pregnant women and 17,000+ children provided with improved care; 12,482 children (in the age group: 6 months – 5 years) screened for malnutrition; 1,277 SAM and SUW children treated in nutrition camps; institutional delivery rate increased from 69% to 87%; early registration rate increased from 22% to 50%; and full immunization rate increased from 29% to 69%. Brought renewable energy in the form of electricity to 39 villages through 30 solar minigrids; 125 schools supported with necessary energy infrastructure through installation of rooftop solar PV systems; 12 public health facilities strengthened to run 24*7 on electricity; 52.7 km streets illuminated ensuring safety and security in villages; and 860 kWp of renewable energy infrastructure created. About 9,000+ dairy farmers with increased income, 11,800 litres (avg.) of milk procured daily; 2,300+ households supported for backyard poultry unit development, and 2,100+ households’ assets enhanced through goat rearing intervention; 995 Self-Help Groups comprising of around 11,500 women strengthened, with 4,000 women connected to economic activities; and facilitated skill development of 900+ youth on various trades. Almost 60,500+ households practicing safe sanitation; 11,000+ households availing safe and piped drinking water supply; and 10,000 KL of waste water being managed across 30 habitations

Brief about the Company:

HCL Technologies is a next-generation global technology company that helps enterprises reimagine their businesses for the digital age. Their technology products, services and engineering are built on four decades of innovation, with a world-renowned management philosophy, a strong culture of invention and risk-taking, and a relentless focus on customer relationships

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3.  Rural development and related activities

Source: CSRBOX

Name of the Company: ICICI Bank Limited

Location: Pan India

The total expenditure of the Project (in Cr): INR 53.05

Total Prescribed CSR 2019-20 (in Cr.): INR 127.3

The Bank’s long-standing effort in rural development related activities continued during fiscal 2020. Agricultural activities remain the mainstay for rural areas, and the Bank has been providing financial solutions for customers across the agri-value chain, particularly farmers. In a mission to enable better opportunities for farmers, the Bank has started funding electronic negotiable warehousing receipts (eNWR). Lending against eNWR is quicker, hassle-free and convenient for both the Bank and borrowers. Farmers can use eNWR to get loans against underlying commodities. This lending protects the farmers from volatility and provides opportunities to avail better prices for their produce. The Bank undertakes initiatives that address the needs of these segments of the rural population. The Self-Help Group (SHG) Programme is an initiative that has enhanced entrepreneurship among women in the rural areas. The Bank provides a comprehensive suite of banking products, including zero-balance savings account and term loans, for meeting the business requirements of the women of these SHGs. Services are offered at their doorstep, thus saving their time and money on visits to the branch. The Bank is also organising financial literacy camps and has set up dedicated service desks at select branches to guide SHGs on banking procedures. There has been a gradual rise in entrepreneurial ventures by women in the areas where the Bank has been providing services to SHGs. The Bank has provided loans to over 7.0 million women beneficiaries through over 540,000 SHGs at March 31, 2020. In addition to direct efforts, the Bank has tied up with about 530 non-government organisations called Self Help Promoting Institutions (SHPIs). These SHPIs are empanelled as Business Correspondents and work towards delivering credit and other banking products. The Bank also offers credit-related services to microfinance companies that are providing financial services to the rural population. Financial inclusion is another activity which the Bank has actively pursued in the rural areas. At March 31, 2020, the Bank had over 21.0 million Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts (BSBDA), of which around 4.7 million accounts were opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. The Bank encourages and enables these account holders to transact digitally. ICICI Bank is also promoting government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana for providing life insurance, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana for providing accident insurance and Atal Pension Yojana for providing pension benefits. The bank provides financial solutions to farmers and other participants of the dairy ecosystem. This includes providing a suite of financial solutions including term loans and working capital loans to dairy unions, payment solutions and promoting investments into animal husbandry. These solutions are supplemented by providing skill training through ICICI Foundation. The Bank has reached out to over 300,000 farmers, engaged in animal husbandry across 5,000 villages since inception. The Bank has also tied-up with more than 2,000 Village Level Cooperative Societies (VLCS) comprising about 200,000 active members. The Bank is also leveraging Common Service Centres (CSCs) for offering relevant products and services to the rural population. CSCs are e-governance centres, set up by a government body, where citizens can avail various government services including payment of utility bills, banking, and accessing information on land records. The Bank aims to leverage this network to offer relevant financial products and services to the rural population in the catchment areas of the CSCs. The Bank expects to make its services available across 100,000 CSCs.

Brief about the Company:

ICICI Bank Limited is an Indian multinational banking and financial services company. ICICI Bank is the second largest bank in India in terms of assets and market capitalisation.

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4.  Holistic Villages Development

Name of the Company: Cummins India Limited

Location: Maharashtra

Implementing Partner: Cummins India Foundation; Kamdhenu Aayog Maharashtra State Government etc.

The total expenditure of the Project (in Cr): INR 8.68

Total Prescribed CSR 2019-20 (in Cr.): INR 17.23

Cummins India has provided allotments to the CSR by contributing towards the Rural Development projects. Organic farming is one of them which was encouraged with an intention of minimizing the use of environmentally harmful chemicals. The farmers were trained by subject matter experts on the best practices of farming. In 2019, Cummins continued support for holistic development of villages with focus in increasing income of families. With help from subject matter experts and scientific approach, Organic Farming and Community Farming program was scaled up. So far 278 model farmers are developed and have adopted 100% organic farming practice. Organic farming complemented with the use of new equipment has resulted into increased agricultural yield to which doubled income of many families. Cummins teams also helped in marketing of farm produce at Cummins plants to secure the additional income to farmers.

Brief about the Company:

A Power Leader Cummins in India designs, manufactures, distributes and services diesel and alternative fuel engines from 2.8 to 95 liters, diesel and alternative-fueled power generator sets of up to 3000 kW (3750 kVA), as well as related components and technology.

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5.  Community Infrastructure and Rural Development

Name of the Company: Shree Cement Limited

Location: Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha

Implementing Partner: Shree Foundation Trust

The total expenditure of the Project (in Cr): INR 6.57

Total Prescribed CSR 2019-20 (in Cr.): INR 40.31

Shree Cement regularly undertakes infrastructure and construction projects in the nearby communities to improve infrastructural facilities, improving accessibility of services and proper utilization of resources for increasing living standards of people in these communities. In order to remove bottleneck of road connectivity in rural areas, Company has undertaken construction and repairing work of the roads in nearby villages of its plants. This apart, Company undertakes civil works in nearby villages to systematically improve infrastructure base. Such work includes construction/ repair of public institutions, renovation of old buildings and community centres, construction of stages, boundary wall, stay rooms, waiting stands, etc. which are commonly used by the communities at large.

Brief about the Company:

Shree Cement is primarily an Indian cement manufacturer. Ir is one of the biggest cement makers in Northern India and it also produces and sells power under the name Shree Power (Captive Power Plant) and Shree Mega Power (Independent Power Plant).

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6.  Project Saakar

Name of the Company: Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited

Location: Odisha, Rajasthan

Implementing Agencies: KK Birla Memorial Society

The total expenditure of the Project (in Cr): INR 4.48

Total Prescribed CSR 2019-20 (in Cr.): INR 15.3

Chambal Fertilisers has made significant investment over the years for the development of rural infrastructure to provide better living opportunity to the community members. During the Financial Year 2019-20, the Company has undertaken construction of cement concrete roads, drainage improvement system, development of playground, community shed, drinking water facility, etc. in nearby villages. The Company has also undertaken renovation and maintenance activities in 17 Government Schools during the Financial Year 2019-20.

Brief about the Company:

Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd. accounts for nearly 15% of the total Urea produced in the country. Since more than two decades’ company has contributed to the food security of the country with responsibility. Its three hi-tech nitrogenous fertiliser (urea) plants are located at Gadepan in Kota district of Rajasthan.

More about Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited’s CSR Portfolio

7.  Arvind Limited

Name of the Company: Rural Transformation & Community Development

Location: Gujarat

Implementing Partners: Arvind Foundation, Narottam Lalbhai Rural Development Fund

The total expenditure of the Project (in Cr): INR 3.6

Total Prescribed CSR 2019-20 (in Cr.): INR 5.86

Under the broad theme of Rural Advancement, the Arvind Rural Transformation Initiative (ARTI) is a combination of long term integrated programs focused in defined geographies in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Narmada districts of Gujarat at present. Improving the education environment by upgrading the infrastructure in village schools, increasing enrolment by multiple learning and development programs for the students and support to parents are initiatives aimed at Educational Advancement. A program to improve farm productivity has been started and multiple trainings and exposure visits for capacity building of farmers are organized at 4 different villages and village groups. These programs are result of a rapid rural appraisal that was conducted by their team. They have been working with the villages around their factory at Khatraj in Gandhinagar now for over two years. The company's experience highlighted that not having a community infrastructure was a major lacuna in expansion of the programme. Narottam Lalbhai Rural Development Fund (NLRDF)has been undertaking development initiatives in Gujarat and reaching out to rural and underserved people since 1978. The objective is to improve the delivery mechanism of government programs by becoming a link between government and the rural populace and carry out CSR programmes for different companies. It also undertakes need based, sustainable development programs in the region with focus on agriculture, health and sanitation, rural energy, HIV/AIDS prevention, women and child development, skill development, solar energy and livelihood enhancement. NLRDF partnered with Fed bank Financial Services Limited and carried out the project on improving school-built environment for enhanced learning in Government Primary Schools Moti Bhoyan, Gandhinagar. Digital classrooms, science activity centre, interactive play scape and herbal garden were initiated. NLRDF is also implementing the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) Project in Vadali and Khedbrahmma block of Sabarkantha District. The project mainly helps farmers to reduce the cost and increase the cotton produces. About 10000-acre land, 4500 farmers across 37 villages have been benefitted through this programme.

Brief about the Company:

Arvind is a fashion powerhouse that is also building new age homes; They are a global leader in apparel manufacturing that is also transforming water management; A denim pioneer that is a trailblazer in advanced materials; A wearable technology manufacturer that is also delivering state-of-the-art engineering solutions.

More about Arvind Limited’s CSR Portfolio

8.    Global Parli Project and other initiatives

 Source: HEG Limited

Name of the Company: HEG Limited

Location: Pan India

Implementing Partner: LNJ Bhilwara HEG Lok Nyas Trust , Global Vikas Trust, PHD Rural Development Foundation

The total expenditure of the Project (in Cr): INR 2.05

Total Prescribed CSR 2019-20 (in Cr.): INR 41.8

HEG Limited's Project in the field of Rural transformation for nation building i.e. water conservation and horticulture with a view to increase the poor farmers income. Global Parli is a project initiated to demonstrate, through a four-step process, that transformation of the country is possible if the worst-affected villages could be reimagined in a sustainable manner through economic activities, social change and water management. While Parli was a bottom-up approach, Raisen will be a top-down and policy-enabled prototype using concurrent support of government policymakers and machinery to grow over 10 lakh fruit trees in the next 2 years. The tree planting target for 2020 is set at 1.5 – 2.5 lakhs. HEG has contributed close to 3 crore towards this green cover initiative.  Moreover, the company provided clean drinking water at Mandideep and nearby areas by installing water coolers with reverse osmosis filters in public places like bus stops and temples.

Brief about the Company:

HEG Ltd, a premier company of the LNJ Bhilwara group, is today India’s leading graphite electrode manufacturer. It has one of the largest integrated Graphite Electrode plants in the world, processing sophisticated UHP (Ultra High Power) Electrodes.

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9.  Developing of rural areas

Name of the Company: Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited

Location: Andhra Pradesh

Implementing Agency: Total Health

The total expenditure of the Project (in Cr): INR 1.877

Total Prescribed CSR 2019-20 (in Cr.): INR 8.11

Apollo Hospitals contributed to the CSR by contributing towards Rural development. It focused in providing of drinking water, Extension of Sanitation facilities, Setting up of Nutrition Centres, Vocational Training Centres facilitating skill development training, Mobile Medical Units – primary and preventive healthcare including diagnostics and Promotion and Revival of rural sports.

Brief about the Company:

As the nation's first corporate hospital, Apollo Hospitals is acclaimed for pioneering the private healthcare revolution in the country.

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10. Rural Infrastructure Development and other initiatives

Name of the Company: Grasim Industries Limited

Location: Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh

Implementing Partner: Nagar Nigam Udaipur; Nagar Nigam Bundi

The total expenditure of the Project (in Cr): INR 1.6253

Total Prescribed CSR 2019-20 (in Cr.): INR 48.83

Grasim Industries has contributed to the CSR by contributing towards the Rural Infrastructure Development other than for the purpose of Health/ Education/Livelihood by developing new roads/culverts/bridges/bus stands, repair roads/community halls/housing, other community assets & shelters and rural development projects. Additionally, in over 1,276 rural medical and awareness camps, 82,189 people were examined. Health check-ups were conducted for ailments such as malaria, diarrhea, diabetes, hepatitis, arthritis, skin diseases, gynecological disorders, and cardiac related issues. They used the Health cube device facility of on the spot 33+ medical tests. Their rural mobile medical van services complemented these efforts. Of the 298 villages that they work in, they have zeroed in on 50 villages for a transformative process that raises them to become model villages. So far in a 7-year timeframe, they have been able to morph 30 villages into model villages

Brief about the Company:

Grasim Industries Limited is the flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group. It started as a textiles manufacturer in India in 1947. Today, it is a leading global player in VSF and the largest chemicals (Chlor-Alkali-s) player in India.

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