PM Modi Launches Gaushala with Bio-CNG Plant in MP

Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the ‘Lal Tipara Gaushala’ with Bio-CNG plant in Gwalior and launched various development projects of Rs 685 crore in Madhya Pradesh on the occasion of Swachhta Diwas. Swachhta Diwas is observed on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) every year.

Details of Bio-CNG Plant

Partner

• It has been set up in collaboration with the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).
• The Gwalior Municipal Corporation (GMC), which operates the gaushala, contributed Rs 5 crore towards the plant’s construction.

Features

• It is India’s first modern and self-reliant gaushala.
• The ‘gaushala’, or cow shelter, with the Bio-CNG plant that can produce three tonnes of natural gas per day using 100 tonnes of cow dung.
• The plant will also produce 20 tonnes of high-quality organic manure.
• The IOC will assist in the operation and maintenance of the plant. 

CSR Initiative of IOC

• The gaushala was developed at a cost of Rs 32 crore from the corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund of the IOC.
• Also an additional one hectare of land has been reserved for its expansion.

Other Projects Inaugurated by PM

• The PM inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects of Rs 685 crore across Madhya Pradesh under the Swachh Bharat Mission and AMRUT Yojana.
• These include a sewerage scheme of Rs 299.20 crore of Sagar urban body.
• Water supply scheme of Rs 61.17 crore of Seoni-Malwa urban body.
• Water supply scheme of Rs 75.34 crore of Chhindwara urban body.

What is CSR?

• The term “Corporate Social Responsibility” in general can be referred to as a corporate initiative to assess and take responsibility for the company’s effects on the environment and impact on social welfare.
• In India, the concept of CSR is governed by clause 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• India is the first country in the world to mandate CSR spending along with a framework to identify potential CSR activities.

Rules Application

The CSR provisions within the Act is applicable to companies with an,

• Annual turnover of 1,000 crore and more or
• A net worth of Rs. 500 crore and more or
• A net profit of Rs. 5 crore and more.

General Rules

• The Act requires companies to set up a CSR committee which shall recommend a Corporate Social Responsibility Policy to the Board of Directors and also monitor the same from time to time.
• The Act encourages companies to spend 2% of their average net profit in the previous three years on CSR activities.

Activities under CSR

• Eradicating extreme hunger and poverty
• Promotion of education, gender equality and empowering women
• Combating HIV-AIDS and other diseases
• Ensuring environmental sustainability
• Contribution to the PM’s National Relief Fund