In a move to pass on the benefits of growing investments to social sector in Gujarat, the state government wants the upcoming cement plants to donate 3 per cent of net cement production for social causes. This volume will go into developing the neighbourhood areas of the plant. For this, the government would tie up with NGOs and other institutions, which will monitor the distribution of cement for infrastructure and housing projects in the surroundings of the plants. In short, 3 per cent of production will thus be channelised into corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.
The state government’s move assumes importance in the wake of nearly Rs 60,000 crore investments likely to be committed in the cement sector during the two-day Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors’ Summit. According to reports, ACC Cement, Adani Group, Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group, Indiabulls and Calcom Cement will ink agreements with the state government for setting up plants in Gujarat during the summit. These projects would be implemented in joint venture with state-run mining major Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC).