By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, November 18, 2017: The Aluminium giant, National Aluminium company Ltd [NALCO] is keen to develop the micro, small and medium [MSME] sector in the state.

“In the current scenario, the prospect for inclusive growth is positive but challenges are many but what is required is to have time bound and result oriented strategy” said Dr.Tapan Kumar Chand, CMD, NALCO and Chairman, CII (Odisha).

He was addressing a convention and seminar on ‘Inclusive Growth of Odisha: Prospects, Challenges and Strategy’ held in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, organized by Odisha CSR Forum, in association with Western Odisha Forum.

“The corporate houses should play an important role in policy advocacy, so that the development initiatives taken at the government level and the corporate level should not duplicate and overlap,” Dr. Chand asserted.

Dr. Chand, while highlighting the role of corporate houses in fostering sustainable development and inclusive growth, said that NALCO, as a responsible corporate citizen, has taken up certain initiatives that are being considered as exemplary in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility. With a view to eliminate fluoride contamination in water in the periphery of its Smelter Plant at Angul, the company has established a de-fluoridisation plant utilizing the Nano-based Emrion Technology.

“Corporate Houses should play a complimentary and supplementary role in the development process rather than a substitute of the state machinery. The business organizations should also focus on proper distribution of wealth generated by its operations to ensure all-round development,” Dr. Chand added. He also said that there is need to make CSR plus ESR(Employees’ Social Responsibility), so that the process of inclusive growth can be more participative.

Speaking on the occasion, union agriculture and farmers’ welfare secretary, Dr. Shobhan Kumar Pattanayak, stressed on the various initiatives being taken at the government level to boost inclusive growth from the grassroots level. Prof. Srijit Mishra, director, Nabakrushna Choudhry Centre for Development Studies [NCDS], Bhubaneswar and Prof. Deepak Mishra, Centre for Studies of Regional Development, JNU participated in the convention-cum-seminar.