A study on “Benchmarking Corporate Social Responsibility Activities” by the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) finds Tata Steel creating a benchmark in corporate social responsibility. The study has been entrusted on “Organization Dynamics”. The purpose of the study is to find out the best practices for corporate social responsibility activities available in Tata Steel and enable GAIL to undertake the interventions more effectively and in a focused manner.

Tata Steel is the pioneer in the concept of corporate social responsibility. It believes that the loyalty and commitment of its employees depend upon the quality of life they are provided with at work and at home. Consistent with the Group Purpose, Tata Steel has declared in its vision statement that it will constantly strives to improve the quality of life of the communities it serves through excellence in all facets of its activities.

For undertaking such efforts as part of its core business, Tata Steel has received many awards. The most recent testimony to Tata Steel’s corporate social responsibility initiative is The Energy & Resources Institute (TERI) Award conferred on it in recognition of corporate leadership for good corporate citizenship and sustainable initiatives. Tata Steel is committed to returning to the community the resources that it takes for its business processes, thus a considerable part of its profits are earmarked for uplift of the communities near its operation with the objective of improving the quality of life of the people. Tata Steel is the only Indian company to have pledged to translate the Global Compact principles on human rights, labour and environment into practice and was conferred the Global Business Coalition Award for Business Excellence in the Community for HIV /AIDS.

Over the years, Tata Steel involvement with the community has undergone change. It has moved away from charity and dependence to empowerment and partnership. The many facets of Tata Steel’s Corporate Social Responsibility are medical and health services in the rural and peri-urban areas, sports, women health and education, water harvesting and tribal development, relief and rehabilitation, income generation etc.