Sustainable Livelihood

In developing and developed economies, demand for unskilled and semi-skilled labour is reducing. Even where agriculture is the main economic activity, trends such as globalisation mean that simple subsistence farming is becoming less viable and social problems arise from migration caused by the inability of agriculture to support a large workforce. To address these problems Tata Steel works with local people in rural and urban areas to harness resources and skills that are available to develop opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.

Tata Steel Rural Development Society as a part its interventions in the areas of sustainable livelihood has focused on improving agricultural productivity. Some major projects initiated in this direction are:

• In the first collaborative project with Agriculture Consultancy and Management Foundation (ACMF), Chennai, interventions in approximately 20 acres resulted in increased productivity of 2.25 tonnes per acre in the first year of the programme against the target of two tonnes per acre.

• The second pilot project on dry land farming with International Crop Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropic (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, developed nearly 22 acres of land resulting in increased yields. In addition, 2800 acres of wasteland has been developed. Second and third cropping in about 3300 acres of land has been facilitated through 65 water-harvesting structures.

• A land and water management programme has been initiated in Ganjam district of Orissa. In the first phase of this programme, in the year 2008-2009, TSRDS took up the job of reviving 29 non functional lift irrigation systems of which 22 were completed by end of FY09, covering over 720 acres of land benefitting 1400 families.
• Till 2009-2010, around 9000 acres of land were brought under cashew and mango plantation, benefitting around 3700 households from 129 villages of East Singhbhum district, Jharkhand. 

• In order to encourage skill development and resource building, community based organisations, such as watershed committees, village development committees and users groups have been formed to build a sense of ownership among the village community.
• At the Joda East Iron Mine in Odisha, Tata Steel has also introduced a scientific rainwater harvesting system to check the depleting levels of ground water. A large storage-cum-percolation lake has been constructed at a favourable location to pool in the water from the vast catchment area around the lake. This project will help increase the ground water levels of surrounding settlements, including the Joda township.

Joda Case Study on Wasteland Development

A plot of wasteland of nearly one acre, in Joda East was given to TSRDS to try out some innovative methods to convert the land for agriculture productivity. TSRDS mobilised a group of youth club members, who formed an SHG to take up this initiative. They were provided with technical support as they were engaged in this kind of initiatives for the first time. They were also given training and financial support to hire farm implements and labour. After a lot of sweat and hard work the patch of land actually started showing signs of green and this was motivation enough for farmers who had earlier refused to believe in the possibilities. They worked on the land diligently and the labour paid off when it began to produce vegetables like bottle gourd, ladies finger, spinach, cabbage, capsicum etc. After nearly four months of hard work this group earned a sum of Rs. 75000. The total investment in the project by the groups and TSRDS was nearly Rs. 17500 and therefore the net profit stood at a grand Rs. 57500 for all.

Irrigation Projects, Jamadoba

In the mining areas, large volume of water is required for various mining operations. To have a judicious use of the mining wastewater, TSRDS Jamdoba unit, in the year 2008-2009, constructed 2700 ft of irrigation channels to lead the water coming out from mines to the farmer’s field for irrigation. The Project has benefitted around 1700 farmers from 18 villages, which are around the mining areas. This initiative has helped farmers to irrigate their land at the time of stress and also in taking second and third crop.

In addition to the channel, the unit also constructed three lift irrigation projects to use the mine water and the water from the river and streams. This water was made available to the fields. The projects were initiated in 2008-2009 and when completed it is expected to irrigate around 115 acres of land in three villages benefitting 125 farmers.

Case study of a farmer- Mukhiya
Ghasiram Mahato used to grow only paddy as crop in one season, the yield of which was just enough for him to meet the annual consumption of his nine member family. He had five acres of land out of which 4 acres was cultivable while one acre was ‘Tand goda land’. His eldest son worked temporarily as an unskilled labour, where availability of work was for about six to seven months in a year.

His situation changed in 2008 - 09 when he learnt multi-cropping techniques from TSRDS. In the Kharif season now the average yield was 2 tonnes per acre. He utilised the productivity of 2 acres of land for consumption in the family and the remaining paddy from 2 acres of land was sold.

Ghasiram Mahato also cultivated Rabi crop in approximately 1 acre of land. The output he got was 3500 kg of ladies finger (vegetable), 40 kg of mustard and 100 kgs of wheat. Out of these, ladies finger was sold in the market and it brought a net profit of Rs.14000.00. The entire mustard and wheat was kept for his own consumption.

For the first time in his life Gahsiram Mahato had seen substantial yield from his land and he has to thank TSRDS for his change of fortune.

Vocational Training

To take the process of development beyond the creation of economic wealth, as many as 3000 youths were given training in different kinds of vocations to build skills in different areas till date. Of these, about 780 unemployed young men and women from Kalinganagar and Chhattisgarh have been able to successfully access market oriented livelihood advancement skills and opportunities through various programmes.

Apart from training on Tally and Basic as well as Advanced Computer skills, the youth are trained for such vocations as:

• Community Health Providers
• Pathological Laboratory Assistant
• Automobile Mechanic
• Electrical Technician

Rural Enterprises through Self Help Groups (SHGs)

Over 900 functional SHGs have spawned in rural and urban areas and are at different levels of maturity. Rural livelihood activities have been carried out in the affected community. During 08-09 “Jamuna Pari” goats were distributed to three Self Help Groups to make employment provisions for the families.

More than 10,000 women are part of these Self Help Groups and are engaged in various agro-based and non-agro based micro-enterprises like:

Nursery raising and care, vermicompost units, animal husbandry, poultry, goat- rearing, candle making, bamboo work, jewellery making etc.

Click here to know about Tata Steel’s CSR activities in Project Areas

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The world of tribals is unique and has to be dealt with special care. The Tata Steel Rural Development Society (TSRDS), a corporate NGO supported by Tata Steel and the Tribal Cultural Society (TCS), a non-profit organisation promoted by Tata Steel, are both instrumental in providing sustainable livelihood to the community around its areas of operations. Tata Steel seeks to secure the interests of the marginalised and provides sustainable solutions to their concerns in its operational areas. The Company covers over 800 villages under its social responsiveness initiatives in the states of Jharkhand, Orissa and Chhatisgarh.

Income Regeneration

• Formation of Self Help Groups.
• Arranging for credit in self-employment ventures.
• Encouraging micro enterprises like dokra, carpet weaving, terracotta, mat making, food processing, poultry farming, mushroom farming, pisciculture and floriculture.

Affirmative Action

The aim of Tata Steel is to respect and protect the rights of indigenous communities at its business locations. This is often particularly relevant for new operations and in developing countries. In addition to respecting the legal rights of indigenous communities - scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India - it also considers social, cultural and economic rights. The Company has developed and implemented many initiatives in alignment with the policy on Affirmative Action and adoption of the Code of Conduct for Affirmative Action.

Tata Steel Rural Development Society and Tribal Cultural Society help the Company to achieve this through various activities in India. For example, a learning package for learning the Santhali language was launched on December 2008. The software, produced in conjunction with the Santhali Engineers’ Welfare Association, aims to improve communication between the Santhali people and representatives of development agencies, both governmental and non-governmental.

Gramshree Mela

As a platform to link rural craftsmen and women with potential markets and customers, Tata Steel hosted the 17th Gramshree Mela in March 2009 in collaboration with Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART). In this extremely successful initiative, a total of 209 stalls were put up with artisans displaying artifacts from 20 states of India. The sales have progressed from a mere Rs 6 lakhs in 1992 to Rs 82 lakhs in 2009.

• Many artisans from the West Bokaro Unit have been linked with Ambedkar Hastshilp Yojana from where they get skill up- gradation training and market linkages in Dokra, Bamboo craft and Terracotta.

• Nearly 100 artisans have been insured under Rajeev Gandhi Shilpi Beema Yojna, whereby they can claim medical expenses for Rs. 15,000 per year for self and family members.

Case Study: Rope Making by Birhor Community at West Bokaro unit

Birhors are known for making ropes traditionally from ‘Mohlan’ tree barks and this skill is used as their main source of income.  With the depletion of forests, the ‘Mohlan’ trees have become rare. Therefore, Birhors have turned to other artificial materials like plastic. For Tata Steel the Birhor rope makers have become a part of the supply chain, as low priced durable ropes are very suitable in tying packages. Since these ropes are made from the gunny bags of Tata Steel washery and CCL, there is also a check on pollution, which is a very important factor from the environment point of view.

In 2009, with the support of TSRDS, Birhor families have been able to make 3,875 Kg of rope amounting to Rs. 2,89,275/-

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Tata Steel has been quick to anticipate the emerging needs of the woman of today in every sector, and especially so in the rural and marginalised segment. The Company has undertaken many pioneering initiatives in empowerment programmes for women, one of which was ‘Tejaswini’, launched in 2002. It signalled a new beginning and focused on Tata Steel’s women employees on the shop floor at jobs which were till then were strictly considered as the male domain.

‘Tejaswini” was an initiative undertaken for the Rejas and the Office Girls who were willing to operate heavy motor equipment. Being an equal opportunities employer, Tata Steel designed this programme to transform the female employees into proficient operators of heavy mobile equipment like tractors and locomotives.

Some initiatives of Tata Steel under the Women Empowerment Programme may be listed as follows:

• Since the early 1970s Tata Steel has been taking in Lady Graduate Trainees. Initiatives have been taken to train women in the required mechanical skills through Female Trade Apprentice courses.

• A Women Empowerment Cell has been set up at Tata Steel as a special wing at the IR Division. It looks after women’s issues in addition to organising need-based training facilities for the underprivileged.

• The Sexual Harassment Redressal Committee has been constituted in adherence to the Company’s Code of Conduct Clause of an Equal Opportunity employer.

• The Legal Awareness Programme for Women aims at educating women on legal issues at home and the workplace. Sessions are also held on Financial Investments, Consumer Rights, Environment laws and Crime etc.

• The Adult Literacy Programme has been launched at Tata Steel Works in association with Tata Consultative Services.

• Under SA-8000, Tata Steel has initiated an awareness programme for the welfare of the women employed in the contractor’s cell.

• A Trust for Women Empowerment – ‘Basera’- has been set up for the wives and daughters of the employees. The Domestic Management Programme (DMP) is one of the most successful programmes under Tata Steel’s women empowerment initiative.

An important milestone in the same direction has been the driving training programme for women from deprived communities that TSRDS has undertaken in order to provide them with income generation opportunities. Altogether, 31 women from remote rural areas were taught to drive by TSRDS. Initially, it was a major challenge just to motivate women for the training. In an otherwise conventional society, TSRDS faced difficulties in making the employers, the learners and their guardians even conceive the notion of women professional drivers as a viable option. The employers had to be instilled with trust and confidence that the women were adequately skilled in driving aptitude and that they would prove to be loyal and dedicated workers. Suitable arrangements were also made for safe and secure housing facilities with proper basic amenities for the women.

Case Study: Full speed ahead - The case of Ms Kunti Nanda-Professional Woman Driver

This is a story of pioneering women breaking barriers and gaining acceptability in a trade traditionally regarded as male territory.

Four women---Ms Kunti Nanda, Ms Sumitra Dehuri, Ms Sunita Sahoo and Ms Nirmala Laguri came forward with the fervor to make an imprint on society and took up jobs  with Triveni Mining Industries. TSRDS made a thorough study of the area to see that the area was congenial for women and offered full support in relocation.

Ms Kunti Nanda, a poor widow with two children, was dependent on her in-laws who needed to be especially convinced that her welfare would be looked after. The four women who were earlier daily wage earners have endured well in their new trade. In spite of all kinds of social pressures they have become role models for other women in similar circumstances.

Case Study: The success story of Sukanti Murmu

A simple husking machine was all it took for the smiles to return to the faces of Sukanti Murmu and her husband, Shyamsundar. Sukanti is a member of the Hirla Marang Buru Self-Help Group (SHG) in Tangiriapal, Keonjhar, Odisha. Sukanti purchased a husking machine with the help of her SHG. Her small venture, which started in a makeshift shed, is just one small success story. She works at the machine along with her husband

and the two have managed to pay off their loan, and also ensured that they have a steady income every month.

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Tata Steel has extended its family beyond immediate employees to the larger community through various programmes that include economic benefit of local people. Encouraging local hiring and promoting supply chain at the base of the pyramid are a part of the Company’s continuous emphasis on inclusive growth and enhancement of stakeholder value.

Whilst Tata Steel has a policy of hiring the best available talent in the country for its jobs, and sourcing globally according to knowledge-based and value-driven buying principles, the Company is also mindful about ensuring that local people are able to benefit from the economic opportunities that its activities offer. Therefore local candidates for employment are considered favourably if they posses the required qualification, skills and talent. The Affirmative Action Policy helps to ensure that backward classes and tribal communities are given equal opportunity in employment and in supply chain functions. Skill enhancement programmes help increase the employability of local communities.

The unskilled and semi-skilled workforce is primarily sourced from the local community. Also, preference is always given to local vendors.

In accordance with its Affirmative Action Policy, Tata Steel encourages business entrepreneurs from socially disadvantaged communities and includes them in its supply chain on the basis of equal merit.

As a social responsibility initiative, social organisations and small-scale local industries are given preference over larger players when the Company is placing orders, provided they are able to match the required standards. For example, many items are sourced from local NGOs such as AIWC, Seva Sadan, School of Hope and Bal Vihar. In order to assist social organisations and small-scale industry units to supply the Company, raw materials are issued on a ‘conversion’ basis for the supply of finished goods, spares, and consumables. This reduces the burden of ‘working capital’ management of these small units.

Only local vendors are engaged for the delivery of services, except for the tasks requiring a higher degree of specialisation and sophistication and a skill set which is not available locally.

In view of changed business environment and the new challenges in 2009- 10, the Company has, among other strategies, decided to develop and implement a policy to include green buy and a greater role for socially responsible procurement. The Company is also developing an index to access the economic impact of its activities. Tata Steel's e procurement platform allows suppliers from all over India to register and respond to procurement enquiries.

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