Kochi : In a huge setback to the state’s wellbeing, the privatisation of BPLC will rob Kerala of welfare schemes worth crores sponsored by the company as part of its CSR(Corporate Social Responsibility).
After the amendment in 2014 making CSR mandatory under Companies Act, BPCL has carried out development and social welfare projects worth Rs 80 in Kerala.
In a year, BPCL rolls out Rs 16 crore worth schemes pertaining to free dialysis, education, nutrition programme and tribal welfare, as part of its CSR.
During MP P Rajeev’s Rajya Sabha tenure, BPCL contributed Rs 1 crore towards installation of linear accelerator at the General Hospital in Kochi.
The company also pays for free food to the patients and their bystanders there. The Palliative care unit of the hospital is also funded by BPCL.
The company has also contributed Rs 45 lakhs towards building of world class trauma care estimated at Rs 1 crore at the General Hospital.
BPCL donated Marine Ambulance worth Rs 6 crore, for rescue operations in deep waters, to the Fisheries Department in the state.
BPCL’s three-year-old Noon Meal Programme feeds over 36,500 children in 153 schools in the district. The scheme costs Rs 5.5 crore annually.
The company spent Rs 3 crore towards setting up 16 anganwadis in Thripunithura, Vadvukaud and Thiruvaniyur regions. BPCL also spends Rs 15 crore to facilitate healthy meal for all students at these anganwadis.
Since three years, the company also sponsors health insurance package in selective wards of the district, by contributing Rs 70 lakhs towards Rs 50,000 health insurance coverage for families there.
6 Schemes That Will Cease To Be
With BPCL ownership flipping to private hands, the schemes to be affected include “Roshni” that provides free breakfast and tuitions to migrant children at 40 schools, Rs 25 crore for Brahmapuram plant generating electricity from garbage, Rs 1 crore for Women’s Ward at Community Health Centre in Vadavukaud , Rs 3.5 crore towards construction of main building at Girls High School in Thripunithura and a scheme costing Rs 65 lakh for distribution of free HIV medications across seven districts.
BPCL also provides funds for Skill Development Institute at Angamaly’s Business Park that imparts training for youth , the proposed integrated skill development centre at Ettumanur to train 1000 students annually, free healthcare enjoyed by Ambalamukal residents at its Medical Aid Society(AMS) and dialysis units of Kozhikode Medical College, Perambara Taluk Hospital, CHC at Shornur and Sree Chithirathirunaal Medical Science.
The functioning at all these establishments would be thrown into disarray, with BPCL ceasing to be a govt owned company.
BPCL also runs “Ennu Oor” scheme benefiting the tribal community in Wayanad. It has similar schemes for the tribals of Poochira, Maniyankinar and Thamravellachal in Thrissur.
