National Thermal Power Corporation
1.0
Introduction
National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), India's power giant, was established in
November 1975 to play a major role in the Indian power sector. Today, an installed capacity
of 19,435 MW, the corporation is looking ahead with an ambitious corporate plan to achieve
a capacity of 30,000 MW by the year 2007 and 40,000 MW by 2012. Operating 13 coal
based and 7 gas based stations, NTPC with its share of about 19% of India's total installed
capacity, generated 26% of the contry's power. A consistent high level performer in
operation, NTPC provides the benchmark for the Indian power sector.
While more than quadrupling the turnover in the past seven years to Rs.20,344 cores in 20002001. The profit has now reached Rs.3733.80 crores. NTPC improved its ranking on sales to
295 in 2000 from 299 in 1999 (as per Asia Week's survey off top 1000 companies of Asia
pacific region including Japan). Also NTPC has been ranked as 31st largest on net profit in
1999 against 40th rank in 1998. In the Indian corporate sector, NTPC ranked first in terms of
profit and 7th in terms of sales volume as per survey of 'Asia week'. In a study conducted by
DATA MONITOR, UK, NTPC has been ranked as the SIXTH (6 TH) LARGEST thermal
power utility in terms of generation of electricity and the SECOND MOST EFFICIENT in
capacity utilization among the thermal utilities of the world during the year 1998.
As part of the corporate growth strategy, NTPC is diversifying into hydel and nonconventional energy development. A joint venture company has been formed with ABBALSTOM to undertake Renovation and Modernisation of aging power plants both in India
and abroad. NTPC is presently in the process of tying up LNG supplies for the expansion of
its gas-based stations.
NTPC has been a socially committed organization since inception. NTPC's mission
statement includes "To be a responsible corporate citizen with thrust on environment
protection, rehabilitation and ash utilisation."
In pursuance of the vision and mission, NTPC had a specific corporate objective towards
sustainable power development as follows:-
 To contribute to sustainable power development by functioning as a responsible corporate
citizen and discharge social responsibilities in the areas of environment protection and
rehabilitation.
 The corporation will strive to utilize the ash produced at its stations to the maximum
extent possible.
For achieving its mission and objective, NTPC formulated specific policies, as delineated in
subsequent paras of this note. The policies were formulated to address the issue of corporate
social responsibility in a comprehensive and systematic manner.
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2.0
Nine Principles of Global Compact and their Status in NTPC
NTPC has formally expressed it's support for the Global Compact and committed to take
action in this regard. In fact, NTPC has always been committed to the nine principles of the
Global Compact, which are as below:
Human Rights
2.1
2.2
To support and respect International Human Rights with the company's sphere of
influence.
To make sure that their own corporations are not complicit with Human rights
violation.
NTPC has been maintaining transparency and sharing the information concerning different
stakeholders through various consultative and participatory forums.
Labour
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
To end discrimination in the workplace
Abolition of child labor
The right to collective bargaining and recognition of freedom of association
To eliminate the use of forced and compulsory labor
NTPC has formulated specific policies and created consultative and participatory forums to
address these principles.
Environment
2.7
2.8
2.9
To support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.
To undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.
To encourage the diffusion of environmentally friendly technology.
NTPC has been conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment study before taking up any
project and incorporates the required mitigatory measures in the design specifications to
ensure protection and development of the environment. Regular monitoring of various
environmental parameters is carried out and suitable measures are taken to ensure compliance
with regulatory standards. NTPC has taken the position of a leader in the power sector
through continuous adoption of state-of-the-art technologies, formulating specific
environmental policies and establishing sound institutional mechanisms.
3.0
Policies in NTPC on Social Responsibilities
NTPC adopted a visionary approach to address the issue of corporate social responsibility
since inception. NTPC management takes every care to promote and fulfil the recreational
and health requirements of the youth; and the innate urges of different social groups to
meaningfully project their cultural traditions and social values. A sense of pride and respect
for the cultural ethos and social moorings of the employees is developed by the management
as a conscious effort towards National Integration. Besides, the management views the
indulgence of its employees in the sports and cultural activities as a source of satisfying the
latent needs of the employees for creativity, accomplishment, development and recognition.
Therefore, the management has endeavored to provide facilities in all its projects/stations for
the welfare of employees and for the pursuit and practice of various games and sports, and
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fine arts namely, dance, drama, music, painting, sculpture etc.
The Corporate Human
Resources Department also formulated the policies on "Facilities to be given to land oustees"
whose land is expropriated for setting up the power project; policy on educational facilities
for the children of employees as early as 1980. Further, institutional mechanism like
participative forums for employees and environment group were established as early as 1980
itself. Specific guidelines were formulated on Engagement of Contractors workers and staff.
The brief of the policies formulated is given below.
3.1
Human Resource (HR)
3.1.1 Recruitment
The recruitment policy had provisions to give preference to marginalised classes of society
like the scheduled castes/tribes, economically backward classes, Ex-servicemen, persons
uprooted from the project areas, physically handicapped and dependents of regular employees
who die in harness. Specific provisions are made for reservation and concessions to SC/ST
and physically handicapped persons.
3.1.2 Recognition to employees
3.1.2.1 NTPC Awards
NTPC has introduced a combined team Award Scheme to bring in an inter-unit
competitiveness in various areas of activity, leading to excellence and perfection. With this
in mind NTPC is introducing inter-project competitions in Productivity, Safety, House
Keeping, Industrial Relations, Rajbhasha and Improvement & Protection in the Environment.
The awards are being announced every year by 15th August. The winner projects get a
Rolling Trophy and Replica with certificate of Merit and Runners up projects gets certificate
of merit.
The objective of the Award Scheme is to induce a Team Spirit amongst all employees of
Projects/Stations, to bring in a sense of competitiveness amongst all employees and the teams
and to reward the best performing project/station.
3.1.2.2 Viswakarama Rashtriya Puraskar
The Ministry of Labour, Government of India have been operating the Viswakarma Rashtriya
Puraskar since 1965. It covers the workers in factories, mines, plantations and docks. The
scheme is open to only such undertakings where suggestion schemes are in operation.
Suggestions accepted by the management and adopted during the previous calendar year in
respect of any of the following qualify for the grant of Rashtriya Puraskar.
-
-
Raising productivity
Increasing the efficiency of the organisation and management
Inventions and improvements that bring about saving in materials including fuel,
power and explosives, reduction in production time and improvement in the
utilisation of plant and equipment.
Improvement in quality of products or their designs.
Lightening physical efforts in certain operations and thereby leading to increased
productivity.
Better utilisation of waste or scrap material.
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-
-
Improving ways and means for using indigenous articles in place of imported
ones.
Improvement of working conditions including safety, health and welfare and in
the case of mines improvement of strata control support of mine workings, safety
standards, safety devices and environmental conditions and improvement in
methods for prevention for industrial diseases.
Make working and general environment safe.
3.1.3 Gender equality
The HR policies and the practices ensure gender equality. NTPC is one of the few
organizations to have a policy for grant of paternity leave. Adequate mechanism has been
provided in the form of a committee for investigating complaints relating to sexual
harassment of working women. NTPC also taps rich resources available in families of
employees. Ladies' clubs/Mahila Mandals at each of the projects utilises this potential for
educational, health and other community development projects in and around the project
areas.
3.1.4 SC/ST
NTPC has endeavored that it takes responsibility for adequate representation of SC/ST and
OBC categories in employment. Towards this effort, there have been exclusive
advertisements/notifications for employment of SC/ST category candidates. These vacancies
are circulated to all accredited SC/ST associations as prescribed under Govt. guidelines.
3.1.5 Special Efforts for Physically Challenged People
NTPC has a deep-rooted commitment to reach out and light up lives of physically challenged
people. Apart from the medical camps as described above, equal employment opportunities
are offered to this special category of individuals as defined under Persons with Disabilities
(Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full participation) Act 1995. With 125 such
persons already provided regular employment, 200 odd are more likely to be recruited at
various projects in the near future. Such a massive effort of this magnitude has never been
undertaken by any organisation in the past. This has been done because NTPC has
committed itself to provide enhanced employment opportunities to disabled persons.
3.2
Education
NTPC has been providing quality primary and secondary schooling facilities to the children
of its staff and that of neighbouring community in its township located all over India. For
this purpose, NTPC provides funds to schools for equipments, etc. and to also meet their
recurring expenditure deficits on need basis.
In all NTPC opened 45 schools in its township located all over India in which approximately
43405 students are studying. The schools are categorized in the following manner:
State schools run on state syllabus and as per State Government norms.
Central Schools, which run as per Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) norms; and
Private schools run by various management such as Delhi Public School, DAV society,
Chinmaya Mission etc.
3.2.1 Workers Education Scheme
The scheme, operated in collaboration with the Central Board of Workers' Education
(CBWE), covers all employees in the workman category irrespective of their educational
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qualification. The policy provides for books and stationery free of cost, daily time off for
attending classes, award of certificates on successful completion of the course and cash
awards to outstanding participants.
3.2.2 Adult Education Scheme
The scheme is introduced with a view to meet NTPC's social obligations towards propagation
of adult education consistent with the aims and objects of National Adult Education Program.
The Scheme aims at providing functional adult literacy with a view to endow the illiterate
with skills for self directed learning to reliance and active involvement in their environment.
Specifically it aims to impart functional literacy supportive of self development program - to
improve the level of awareness and communication skills including literacy and functional
upgradation.
The Scheme is meant for the civilians at large living in and around NTPC's project areas and
is specifically directed towards the adult workers in the employment of NTPC (including
their spouses) and its contractor/sub-contractors. The preferred age group of the persons is
15-35 years.
The honorarium of Rs.800/- and Rs.400/- being paid to adult education teachers/instructors.
3.2.3 Children's Education Scheme
The company reimburses the expenditure incurred by the regular employees towards tuition
fees and / or hostel charges for their children. NTPC also has a policy of scholarship for the
children of the regular employees who join professional courses.
3.2.4 Neighboring Communities
For the benefits of the land oustees and the villagers of the neighboring affected villages,
NTPC under the policy on R&R establishes / augments the infrastructure facilities for
education like the primary school, furniture and equipment in the school.
The children of land oustees are also provided with free books and stationery as per the need.
The land oustees are also sponsored for professional courses for enhancing their
employability.
NTPC also has a policy of scholarship for the scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe children,
who join professional courses. The scholarship is provided for 3 years during the course of
study.
3.3
Health
The organization provides comprehensive medical care to employees and their families
inclusive of promotive, curative and preventive healthcare. It also provides adequate health
care to the community around the project sites.
With 17 well-equipped project hospitals at its project sites with 700 hospital beds and 58
empanelled hospitals located centrally and at regions, it achieves the above objectives. A
fully dedicated team of 250 Doctors and around 1000 para medical staff, NTPC takes scarce
quality medical care to the doorsteps of employees in the project in locations where even
Govt. Primary Health Care is sadly inadequate. While 7 of the 17 hospitals, provide primary
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and emergency health care, the other 10 major hospitals also provide secondary health care.
The empanelled hospitals provide the tertiary health care services. With the above efforts the
mean employee age has increased.
3.3.1 Regular Employees
All regular employees, trainees and apprentices and their family members are fully covered
under the medical policy of NTPC. Full-fledged company hospitals have been established in
the projects township. In addition to provision of allopathic system, NTPC promotes the
alternative systems like homeopathic and ayurvedic system of medicine.
NTPC also has a policy of annual comprehensive health check-up for the employees above
the age of 45 years, and health check up once in two years for the employees in the age
groups of 40-45. The employees working in hazardous areas in the project undergo regular
comprehensive health check-up.
3.3.2 Social security for Retired employees
NTPC has a contributory scheme for provision of medical facilities on superannuation for
the employees and their spouses.
3.3.3 Land Oustees
NTPC has a specific scheme for medical facilities to the land oustees and their families
wherein 80% rebate is given for the consultation charges and for indoor treatment in NTPC
hospitals. NTPC also facilitates health insurance scheme for land oustees through the
insurance companies and contributes partly to annual insurance premium to be paid by the
land oustees.
3.3.4 Community Development
NTPC provides basic infrastructure for the primary health center/dispensaries in the affected
villages. In addition, NTPC has been extending medical facilities in its project hospitals to the
needy and poor people free of cost. Regular health check ups of the students are organized in
the neighbouring villages.
Spreading the social concern to the surrounding areas, the National Program enforced by the
Family Planning camps, Blood donation camps, immunisation schedules, Eye camps, Heart
disease prevention camps, cancer detection camps, school medical checkups etc. are
organised for non-entitled people at the project hospitals at places where the Govt. Primary
Health Care is sadly inadequate.
3.3.5 Physically challenged people
NTPC has been organising free medical camps periodically in many of its projects for the
benefit of disabled persons. Special equipment for the aid of disabled persons have also been
distributed at out projects.
Accommodation is provided by our projects to any
agency/voluntary organisation for the aid of disabled persons, besides providing any other
assistance.
3.3.6 Rural Sports
NTPC also lays stress on rural sports and projects conduct rural meets on annual basis. It
also encourages the local schools in the vicinity to conduct games/tournaments and provides
them facilities in terms of sports equipments, grounds etc. Inter School Sports Meet within
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the projects are also held on a regular basis to identify young talent among the children of our
employees as well as neighbourhood.
3.3.7 National Calamities
NTPC from time to time has donated towards the various Relief Funds at the time of natural
calamities to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, Prime Minister's National Defence
Fund, Chief Ministers Relief Fund of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Orissa, Madhya
Pradesh, West Bengal. In addition to this, NTPC has sent a teams of Doctors, Engineers to
the affected areas for restoration works.
NTPC undertook a massive relief and restoration work for the benefit of persons affected by
the earthquake that occurred in Bhuj in Gujarat on 26.02.01. NTPC undertook to run
community kitchens in the affected areas besides providing relief material to the affected
persons. Doctors from NTPC worked day and night to provide medical assistance.
Engineers undertook to carry out massive repair jobs necessary for restoring electrical
distribution systems.
3.4
Social Security for Old age/retirement
NTPC provides the following benefits: Employees provident fund
 Gratuity
 Employees voluntary benevolent fund
 Self contributory superannuation benefit (Pension Scheme)
3.5
Safety
3.5.1 Safety policy has been drawn up and communicated to all the employees at
Projects/Stations.
3.5.2 Guidelines have been formulated for constituting committees to conduct inquiries in
cases of various types of accidents and dangerous occurrences, to prevent their recurrence in
future.
3.5.3 A detailed procedure for reporting of accidents and dangerous occurrences has been
prepared. Detailed Safety Rules for construction and erection, electrical and mechanical have
been prepared to ensure the safety of the employees working in Construction, Operation and
Maintenance Plants.
3.5.4 All NTPC projects/stations are having Disaster management Plans to ensure the safety
of people and protection of the environment in case of any disaster. Regular mock drills are
organized at regular intervals to educate the people and keep the system in readiness.
3.5.5 Personal protective equipment is provided to all the employees at projects, who are
working in hazardous areas. Fire Detection and Protection System have been provided at all
vulnerable areas.
Effective functioning of the system is ensured through periodical
inspection and monitoring.
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3.5.6 Comprehensive Safety Clauses have been incorporated in the General Conditions of
the Contract for Construction & Erection and Operation & Maintenance Works to ensure the
safety of the contractors' employees.
3.5.7 NTPC organizes Safety Audit of all its Projects/Stations every year by the Safety
officers of the other projects. The Safety Audit is done by external professional agencies like
National Safety Council, Loss Prevention Association of India, Tata Risk Management
Services of India etc. to identify the hazardous conditions and take appropriate corrective
action.
3.5.8 NTPC Projects/Stations has received many National/International Safety Awards.
During the year 2000, eleven NTPC projects/stations received Safety Awards from British
Safety Council.
In May 2000, NCPP-Dadri station has also received SHRESHTHA
SURAKASHA PURASKAR AWARD from National Safety Council of India for outstanding
achievement in Safety performance and Management.
3.6
Resettlement & Rehabilitation (R&R)
During the execution of the first generation projects, though there had been no specific
guidelines either from the State or Center on rehabilitation and resettlement, NTPC on its
own had implemented limited measures. Progressively, efforts are being made to improve
upon the programme implemented earlier.
The following facilities were being considered for the land oustees or nominees of land
oustees under the basic guidelines followed by NTPC since 1980:
i)
ii)
iii)
Employment (subject to vacancies and suitability of land outsees)
Shop allotment
Petty contract works
A comprehensive R&R policy was formulated in 1991 and subsequently revised in May,
1993 for implementation at the existing and upcoming projects. R&R is treated as a
responsibility and commitment and not as a charity or welfare measure.
The policy has been framed with a clear objective that NTPC will take measures so that PAPs
are enumerated on the basis of loss of livelihood and not loss of land alone and on individual
basis instead of family basis. The policy, therefore, is applicable to agricultural laborers,
tribals, landless laborers cultivating Government Land, tenant tillers etc. as well. There are
total twelve categories of PAPs. Depending on the category of PAPs, the rehabilitation
options includes:
 ”Land for land”
 Self-employment such as dairy, poultry, handicraft etc.
 Shops
 Award of petty contracts
 Jobs
The resettlement includes:
 Developed alternate free house plot in resettlement colony with necessary
infrastructure facilities.
 Transport arrangement for belongings and reusable material
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For establishing the base line data for each PAP and to enable the preparation of suitable
Rehabilitation Action Plan (RAP), a detailed socio-economic survey (SES) is conducted
through reputed institutions. For old projects, a retrofit socio-economic study (RSES) is
carried out through reputed institutions and a Remedial Action Plan (ReAP) is prepared. In
addition the infrastructure facilities are created/augmented based on the finding of survey.
The RAP/ReAP is finalized in a consultative manner with PAPs. The RAP/ReAP includes
plan for resettling PAPs in resettlement colonies, providing them infrastructure facilities and
also ways and means of rehabilitation to be provided to these PAPs as per NTPC R&R
policy.
3.7
Community Development
NTPC has been providing basic infrastructure facilities and amenities in the resettlement
colonies and the affected villages to provide reasonable standard of community life. These
include village roads, drainage, drinking water facilities, community halls, augmentation of
primary health centers, primary schools, streetlights etc.
3.8
Environment
NTPC, while spearheading the process of accelerated development of the power sector in the
country, is equally conscious of the environmental degradation and continues to take various
pro-active measures for protection of the environment and ecology around its projects.
Environmental Auditing and extensive Pollution Monitoring is carried out at all stations and
has led to better compliance of the environmental norms and helped in timely renewal of the
Air and Water Consents of stations.
NTPC was the first among the power utilities in India to start Environment Impact
Assessment (EIA) studies to identify and evolve suitable mitigatory measures at the project
appraisal stage itself. These measures are in-built in the designs during project engineering
stage and are incorporated in the construction stage. Once the plants come into operation,
regular monitoring of various environmental parameters and periodic Environmental Audits
and Reviews are conducted and suitable remedial actions are taken to ensure compliance with
statutory requirements. Close interaction is maintained with various regulatory bodies and
financial institutions in order to keep abreast with the latest developments in the field of
environment.
Efficient operation, maintenance and sound environment management
features in all its operating stations.
3.8.1 Environment Policy and Management System
NTPC is the first public utility in the country to bring out a comprehensive document in
November 1995 entitled "NTPC Environment Policy and Environment Management
System". The Environment Policy envisages the following principles:
a) To adopt pro-active approach in Environmental Protection.
b) To operate and maintain the various pollution control devices and equipments at
optimum efficiency.
c) To adopt latest technologies, as far as feasible and to achieve continual environmental
improvement through retrofit, recirculation/reuse, integrated treatment schemes etc.
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d) To conserve resources by efficient utilisation and to minimise waste to the extent
feasible.
e) To devise environmentally sound policies for maximizing ash utilisation.
f) To inculcate the culture of environmental care among all employees and further
enhance the "green Image' of NTPC.
3.8.2 Accreditation of ISO-14001 Certification
As a Corporate Policy, NTPC has taken various pro-active measures for strengthening its
environmental management functions and for protection of the environment. Fifteen of its
power stations have been accredited with ISO-14001 certification. Actions also have been
initiated for achieving ISO-14001 for other stations.
3.8.3 Rewards for Environmental Performance
In recognition to the initiation and implementation of various environmental measures, the
NTPC had received several awards such as:
NTPC-Kahalgaon has received award on "Excellence in Environment Management 1999",
Talcher-Kaniha has received 'Pollution Control Excellence Award 1999' and Excellent
Pollution Control Award for Kayamkulam from respective State Pollution Control Boards.
In addition Talcher-Kaniha and Ramagundam have received "Environment Performance
Awards" and Feroze Gandhi Unchahar and Dadri thermal power stations have received
awards on 'Ash utilisation and its Safe Disposal" from council of Power Utilities and Central
Board of Irrigation & Power. NTPC also received "Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Award,
1999 for Best Environment and Ecological Implementation" from International Greenland
Society, Indo-German Green Tech Environment Excellence Award 1999-2000 for Corporate
Centre, Dadri and Kawas Station and the Golden Peacock Environment Management Award
-2001 from the World Environment Foundation, Excellent Environmental & Ecological
Implementation Award 2000-2001 from International Greenland Society, Hyderabad. NTPC
Kahalgaon received Industrial Pollution Control Award, 2000-2001 from Bihar State
Pollution Control Board, Patna.
3.9
Afforestation
Green belts and massive plantations continues to be done at its projects and till date around
14.9 million trees have been planted at its different projects. Further, in accordance with the
decision taken by Ministry of Power, Government of India, necessary action is under way for
creation of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for Afforestation.
Afforestation is yet another area which needs careful consideration. Massive afforestation is
required in and around power plants to act as a sink to the pollutants. Coal burnt in a 1000
MW power plant is around 4 million tonnes per annum resulting in around 5 million tonnes
of carbon dioxide emissions annually. In order to sequester this carbon dioxide, around 400
sq. km of forests having plants with 8-10 years of age would be required. In addition, serious
attempts may have to be made to reclaim the abandoned ash ponds. Scientific research has
shown that waste land can be successfully converted into green forests, if proper care is taken
to select the species of plants. Thus abandoned ash ponds can be successfully reclaimed as
already done at Ramagundam.
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In NTPC, in view of the above, around 14.9 million trees have already been planted in and
around its power stations. Further, a concept of "Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for
afforestation has been thought of recently with the objective of creating forest bank to act as
sink for Green House Gas emissions, increase the national forest cover, as also, for speedy
forest clearance for power projects. Power plants acquire sizable chunk of land for setting up
power plants and extending transmission lines. In most of the power plants, acquisition of
forest land is also involved which needs forest clearance from State Authorities and MoEF.
The existing system of Compensatory Afforestation, is a long drawn process and delays the
implementation of power projects resulting in cost and time over run of the project. The role
of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is envisaged to identify suitable land for afforestation
through MoEF and State Forest Department and maintain a buffer of such forest cover. This
forest bank is to be treated as 'Compensatory Afforestation" and to be scored off against
diversion of forest land for setting up of power plants. This arrangement, if implemented, is
expected to increase the national forest cover, convert degraded and denuded forest land into
rich forests and also speed up clearance of forest land for Power Plants from Central and
State Authorities.
4.0
Institutional Setup
4.1
For HR functions
Employees' Participation in Management (EPM) has been one of the strong pillars holding up
NTPC since its inception. The company has witnessed high performance and tremendous
growth in a short period of 25 years and this can largely be attributed to the deep-rooted
involvement of its employees in the process of management.
NTPC has 22 projects (including Tanda Thermal Power Station, taken over from the
erstwhile UPSEB) in its fold today and the participation of over 24,000 employees in the
management process takes place, at mainly, three levels, viz. Project/Station level, Regional
level, and Corporate level.
4.1.1 Project/Station Level
Each projects has an apex-level Plant Level Council and a number of (usually 4-5)
Shop/Department Level Councils. Besides PLC/SLCs various joint committees are formed to
deal with aspects such as safety, township, sports, recreation etc.
i)
Apex Level Plant Level Council (PLC)
Constituted to discuss plant level issues - information sharing on generation & production
targets, productivity, elimination of wasteful practices, inventory reduction, general health,
welfare & safety, and any issue referred by ship councils. The members include - Head of
Project as the Chairman, 3 members representing the management and 3 members
representing employees.
ii)
Shop Level Council (SLC)
Constituted to discuss department level issues - Improvement of production, productivity &
efficiency, elimination of wastage, improvement in working conditions, safety etc. The
members include - Head of Department as the Chairman, 8-12 members equally representing
the management and employees.
iii)
Other Bipartite Fora at Project Level
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Various joint committees, represented equally by management and employees, are constituted
at the project level to take care of issues related to employees' welfare. The important joint
committees are:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Canteen Management Committee
House Allotment Committee
Township Advisory Committee
Plant Safety Committee
Sports Council
4.1.2 Regional Level
Meetings are held every quarter with unions and associations of employees of a particular
region to discuss and deal with various issues concerning that particular region.
4.1.3 Corporate Level
At Corporate level there are separate participative forum for workmen, Supervisors and
Executives.
a)
NBC - National Bipartite Committee
The apex negotiating forum composed of management representatives and workmen
representatives drawn from coal-based thermal power stations which have a workmen
strength of over 500 and have at least one unit commissioned. Besides workmen
representatives from project unions, Central Leaders (one each) from four national trade
unions - INTUC, BMS, ATTUC & CITU - are part of the committee. The forum meets at
least 2-3 times a year or even more frequently, if required. Issues discussed are related to
wages and employee welfare.
b)
SEJC - Supervisory Employee's Joint Committee
The apex joint forum composed of management representatives and representatives of
supervisors drawn from coal-based thermal projects, which have at least one unit,
commissioned. This is not a forum for negotiation but a consultative forum where
information, ideas and concerns are shared. The forum meets at least twice a year. Issues
discussed are related to the welfare of the supervisor's community.
c)
NEFI - NTPC Executives' Federation of India
This is not a joint committee but a federation of all the Executive Associations from various
projects of NTPC, with which the management interacts to share information, ideas and
concerns of the executive community. The forum meets at least twice a year. Issues
discussed are related to the welfare of the executives' community.
d)
Apex Level Bipartite for a Related to Productivity
The three apex fora mentioned above basically deal with issues related to employee wages
and welfare, while the following three fora, which meet twice a year, deal with matters
relating to productivity, cost-reduction, improvements in working conditions, safety etc.
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NJPC - NTPC Joint Performance Committee - composed of NBC members
SEJC on Productivity
NEFI on Productivity
4.1.4 Professional Circles
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We have started Professional Circles in each department wherein employees of the
department concerned would meet periodically to share the learning in the chosen profession.
4.1.5 Quality Circles
In order to tap the latent talent among workmen to achieve Total Quality Management in the
running of plants, initiatives were taken to set up Quality Circles. As of now, over 250
Quality Circles are in operation in various units/offices of NTPC.
4.1.6 Safety
Safety Departments have been set up at all the projects/stations and at Corporate Center and
qualified Safety officers have been posted to assist the management in fulfillment of its
statutory obligations, prevention of personal injuries and maintaining safe working
environment.
Safety Training is provided to all executives, supervisors and workmen at the induction stage
itself. Need based training programs on safety are being organized by projects/ stations and
corporate center at regular intervals for NTPC and contractor's employees. Fire fighting and
first-aid training is providing to all the employees.
Employees' participation in Safety Management is encouraged through various schemes like
Safety Committees, Safety Stewards and Safety Circle Schemes.
4.2
R&R functions:
4.2.1 Establishment of Dedicated R&R Cell
NTPC addresses the R&R issues by establishing independent dedicated R&R Cell at each
project for coordinating and implementing the R&R plans and activities. The Corporate
R&R Cell ensures that policies are applied consistently, monitors the progress of the
implementation of R&R plans and activities and facilitate the projects in planning, scheduling
and budgeting as also providing assistance and support for taking up of Income Generating
Schemes, Shops, petty contracts etc. Instances have been common where PAPs have chosen
schemes/options themselves as per their requirement & NTPC has arranged assistance for the
same. Also, many measures/facilities etc, have been provided to PAPs as per needs of PAPs
and local conditions, even though not envisaged in the RAPs, NTPC strongly feels that such
activities go a long way in building a relationship of trust with PAPs.
4.2.2 Deployment of Consultants/Advisors
The need of deploying the experienced experts has been felt to supplement the efforts of
NTPC in addressing various R&R issues and in implementation of income generation
schemes at Projects.
4.2.3 Deployment of social scientists
R&R Cell require complex mix of skills to address the need of understanding social, cultural
and traditional aspects of the people affected due to our project and establish vital
communication links between PAPs, NGOs and NTPC. To fulfil these objective, social
scientists with requisite qualification and field experience have been deployed at projects.
4.2.4 Participation of Stakeholders
The consultation with the PAPs and NGOs are vital for assessing their requirement of
rehabilitation and resettlement. This is done in NTPC in a participative manner for which
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various systems have been institutionalized. The R&R schemes and plans are regularly
discussed with PAPs and their representatives through Public Information Center (PIC) and
Village Development Advisory Committee (VDAC). Their suggestions are studied and the
schemes and plans are modified, whenever felt necessary.
4.2.5 Public Information Center (PIC)
To maintain transparency and keep the PAPs informed, NTPC has established PICs at
Corporate Center and at Projects where all documents such as socio-economic survey reports,
RAPs / ReAPs, land records, policy and other relevant documents are kept for public view.
The PAPs are encouraged to refer to any document and can register their queries / grievances
in a register kept at the PIC. At sites, social scientists are available at PIC for interacting with
PAPs & listening to their grievances and explaining them the documents.
4.2.6 Village Development Advisory Committee (VDAC)
For institutionalizing the public consultation and preparation of rehabilitation schemes in a
participative manner, NTPC has established VDACs at various projects. The representatives
of PAPs, Gram Pradhan, Panchayat representative, Block Development Officer, other
representatives of State Govt. and NGOs are the members of VDAC. Regular meetings are
held where their suggestions are invited and the schemes and plans are modified, whenever
felt necessary. The records of meetings are kept in the PIC for the information of public.
The socio-economic survey report and RAP/ReAP are also discussed in the VDAC.
4.2.7 Grievance Redressal Mechanism
For redressing the grievances of PAPs, NTPC has established Grievance Redressal
Mechanism at each project. The PAPs can give their grievances in the PIC which are
suitably taken care of by the management.
4.2.8 Involvement of NGOs
The NGOs are identified as important stakeholders and are actively involved in the R&R
activities. They are involved in the consultation process and are taken as member of VDAC.
They are also involved in implementation of various income generating schemes.
4.3
Environment functions
NTPC has constituted different Environment Groups for carrying out specific environment
related functions.
4.3.1 Environment Engineering Group (EEG)
The Environment Engineering Group (EEG) at the Corporate Center was created as early as
1980, even before the formulation of the relevant environmental acts. It has the responsibility
for selecting the environmentally compatible sites for the new green-field projects,
conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies for new project sites and
obtaining Environmental Clearances, finalization the specifications of pollution monitoring
equipment for new projects and works related to pre-operational stages of the projects.
4.3.2 Environment Management Groups (EMGs)
The Environment Management Groups (EMGs) were constituted in 1991-92 at all stations of
NTPC, Regional Headquarters and at the Corporate Center. It has the responsibility of
providing thrust to the environment functions of the operational stage of the plants,
formulating the environmental policy of the organization, complying with the statutory norms
and initiating suitable mitigatory measures to minimize pollution.
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4.3.3 Ash Utilization Division (AUD)
In order to impart thrust for utilization of ash in all NTPC Stations, a separate Ash Utilization
Division was created in 1991. This division formulates the policy, plans and programs for
ash utilization. Each station has a dedicated Ash Utilization Coordinator. The AUD controls
and monitors the progress of ash utilization at each station.
4.3.4 Center for Power Efficiency and Environment Protection (CENPEEP)
The Center for Power Efficiency and Environment Protection (CENPEEP) has been
established in NTPC with the assistance of United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) to focus on improvement of availability of resources for power
generation for sustained operation, attainment of optimum efficiency and protection of
environment. The center acts as a resource for assimilating, disseminating and demonstrating
technical know-how to other utilities to bring about improvement in the Indian Power Sector.
The Corporation has been identified as Implementing agency for "Green House Gas Emission
Prevention Project'' by the USDOE and USAID.
4.4
Afforestation
Professionally qualified horticulturists are deployed at each project.
5.0
Budget
NTPC has fully internalised the provisions of budgets for operationalisation of it's social
responsibility both during the formulation and during operation of its projects. For
new/expansion projects, the environmental safeguards are built into design specifications of
the project and cost of such safeguards becomes integral part of the project cost. The cost of
rehabilitation, resettlement and community development plan also forms the integral part of
the project cost. For operating stations, specific budgets are provided for operationalisation
of all social welfare policies under the O&M budget.
6.0
Conclusion
Release of pollutants into the environment is unavoidable in the process of generation of
electricity form fossil-fuelled power plants. With the massive expansion of power
generation, there is also growing awareness among all concerned to keep the pollution under
control and preserve the health and quality of the natural environment in the vicinity of the
power station. All-out efforts are being made by NTPC in the above direction. Necessary
provisions have been incorporated at the planning, design and operating stages of the projects
to check the pollution within the norms. These include provision of tall chimneys and highly
efficient ESPs, treatment of effluents, disposal of ash an above all massive afforestation
programmes carried - out in the vicinity of the power stations. As a result of various
mitigatory measures continuously undertaken in NTPC plants have shown appreciable
reduction in particulate emission in a number of stations.
NTPC is committed to provide affordable and sustainable power in increasingly larger
quantities. It is conscious of its role in the national endeavour of mitigating energy, poverty,
heralding economic prosperity and thereby contributing towards India's emergence as a major
global economy.
The policies and the practices of NTPC assure the organization's commitment towards social
responsibility.
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ContactK.K. Sinha, Director(Human Resources), National Thermal Power
Corporation Ltd., New Delhi
Email: [email protected]
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