ÔÇ£SAIL is using the foundation of sustainable development to become a global player.ÔÇØ This was stated by Mr. C.S. Verma, Chairman, Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), while addressing the inaugural session of a two-day international seminar on ÔÇÿAchieving Sustainable Corporate Growth: Exploring New Frontiers in Technology & ManagementÔÇÖ here today. The seminar, organised jointly by Maharatna SAIL and National HRD Network at SAILÔÇÖs Management Training Institute here is being attended by around 500 delegates from various countries around the world representing academia and industry. Noted economist and former Indian Ambassador to the US Mr. Abid Hussain was the chief guest at the inaugural session of the seminar. Also present were former Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs Mr. R. Bandyopadhyay and SAIL Director (Personnel) Mr. B.B. Singh.
Contending that ÔÇ£the days of consumption without thought are over,ÔÇØ Mr. Verma said that ÔÇ£many leading companies have adopted sustainable development as a major corporate strategy and a driver for innovation that yields both bottom- and top-line returns.ÔÇØ Speaking at length on the various measures that corporates should take to make sustainable development and growth a reality, he informed the participants that the Indian steel industry is also putting in concerted efforts and adopting a multi-pronged strategy towards greater sustainable practices.
SAIL, said Mr. Verma, has been able to achieve substantial success on the environment protection front, which is a major criterion for sustainable development, through concerted interventions and efforts during the last six years. For instance, he said, air emissions were reduced to 1.12 kgs per tonne of crude steel produced by the SAIL plants in FY ÔÇÖ11, a reduction of 55%. Specific effluent discharge of 2.5 m3 per tonne of finished steel, a reduction of 16%, has also been achieved. With continuing thrust on solid waste management at the integrated steel plants, an improvement of around 16% has been achieved. Around 0.18 million saplings has been planted in and around SAIL plants and mines during FY ÔÇÖ11, resulting in cumulative plantation of 17.67 million saplings till date.
In his address, Mr. Abid Hussain said that the new corporate mantra should focus on ÔÇ£maximising resources for more rather than for fewÔÇØ. He underlined ÔÇ£distributive justice, development and inclusive growthÔÇØ as the main issues of sustainable development. Also speaking on the occasion, former Secretary Mr. R. Bandyopadhyay urged participants to ÔÇ£keep the big picture in mind and think differentÔÇØ.
The purpose of the seminar is to examine the challenges and gain insight into effective approaches of sustainable growth, add value to initiatives by experience sharing and arrive at common approaches and strategies as possible solutions for organisations and institutions.
'Days of consumption without thought are over', says SAIL Chairman
Inaugural Ceremony of International Seminar on Sustainable Corporate Growth at SAIL-Management Training Institute (from L to R) - SAIL Director (Personnel) Mr B.B. Singh, Economist and former Indian Ambassador to the US Mr Abid Hussain, Former Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs Mr R. Bandyopadhyay, SAIL Chairman Mr C.S. Verma and GM (SAIL-MTI) Mr Manas Panda, at Ranchi
