Date:30/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/30/stories/2006103015870300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

PSUs urged to focus on social responsibility

Special Correspondent

Minister inaugurates Farm Forestry Scheme

The programme works through a network of 52 NGOs The company will procure pulpwood directly from farmers

Thiruvananthapuram: Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Sontosh Mohan Dev on Sunday reminded public sector units (PSUs) of their social responsibility while pursuing the goal of sustainable profit generation. He was speaking after inaugurating the Farm Forestry Scheme of Hindustan Newsprint Ltd. (HNL) at Mandapathinkadavu, near here. Mr. Dev called on the PSUs to focus on the development of backward areas and generation of job opportunities.

Mr. Dev said the redefined role of public sector enterprises called for striking the right balance between innovative business models and social responsibilities. "We cannot ignore the global economic changes and their implications on our economy and businesses.

The concept of global village is a reality. At the Government level, we have a clear perception on how as a nation, we can live up to the expectations of the global community, adopting a pro-active stance," he said.

Sustainable growth

The Minister said the State-wide programme was an example of how industry could provide newer models, sustainable growth initiatives which catalyse rural development, maintain harmony with nature and address business imperatives.

The scheme, he explained, would make the marginal and non-agricultural land productive, provide additional income to farmers and ensure availability of wood-based raw materials in the market. He said HNL would also procure pulpwood directly from the farmers.

The scheme works through a network of 52 non-governmental organisations which develop and maintain nurseries across the State for distribution of high-yielding pulpwood species to farmers at subsidised rates. The species cultivated under the programme include bamboo, reed, Mangium, Acacia, Eucalyptus, Albizia and Casuarina. HNL has also launched an awareness campaign to popularise the scheme and provide technical solutions for effective cultivation management. HNL managing director N.P. Prabhu, chairman Raji Philip and president of the Ottasekharamangalam panchayat K.P. Renadive were present.

Dissent voiced

Addressing the gathering, district panchayat president Anavoor Nagappan voiced his opposition to the move to promote the cultivation of acacia under the farm forestry programme.

"Unlike the other species, Acacia has an adverse effect on the environment. Planting it on a large-scale will hinder the growth of other crops," he said. Mr. Nagappan said bamboo and reed were ideal for the scheme because of their capacity to hold water, protect bunds and check soil erosion. Bamboo is also more remunerative for the farmer, he added.