UAIL FACILITATES MEDIA INTERFACE, NEEDS TO REVISIT COMPANY’S MEDIA POLICY
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Rayagada, August 2: Utkal Alumina International Ltd(UAIL), Doraguda, Kashipur, a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Ltd., under the Aditya Birla Group facilitated a district level interface with district correspondents from Rayagada and scribes of Kashipur & K Singhpur at Hotel Lotus Paradise. The face to face dialogue was jointly moderated by Narayan Mitra, HR Head, Dr.Bibhudatta Mahapatra, Head Corporate Communications and Pitambar Behera, CSR Manager of UAIL.
Bibhudatta said that foundation of relationship with media is based upon time, transparency & trust. Constructive dialogue between the corporate and the fourth pillar paves way for a concerted development process in the region. As a responsible industry UAIL will always seek feedbacks from media to further it’s initiatives in the district. Mitra responded to the suggestions of the scribes by saying that the media persons must speak up, provide critical feedback and move on(Bolte Raho, Tokte Raho, Badhte Raho) to strengthen symbiotic relationship and ultimately augment the growth in the community as the primary stakeholder.
UAIL’s environmental initiatives were highly praised. For example, it’s vivid response to National Green Tribunal(NGT) in maintaining the fly ash pond is exemplary. Using of High Density Polyethylene(HDPE) sheets in the fly ash pond has contained the leaching effect; but unfortunately, HDPE sheets were stolen. To instill a civics sense, it was compelled to deploy security forces near the pond for public safety. Similarly, like other companies, there has never been any devastation as far as red mud pond is concerned. UAIL has sincerely abided by the rule of law to maintain minimum quality standards and statutory requirements. It’s CSR activities augmenting the local economy are highly appreciated by external evaluators. It has always worked in a convergence mode as far as govt schemes are concerned and to avoid duplicity. It has been able to establish two centres of excellence in Kashipur such as Utkal Hospital providing high class health facilities and Aditya Birla Public School with excellent educational achievement.
The scribes present on the occassion provided several suggestions which include a group insurance for the journalists, an exposure to few CSR activities, extension of a health centre of Utkal Hospital at Rayagada district headquarters, providing free health care to working journalists and their family members at Utkal Hospital, conducting annual health camps for journalists of the district, monthly fellowship to needy media persons, construction of a rest room for press reporters at Rayagada town, establishment of a herbal garden, educational assistance to the wards of journalists, urban plantation programme, immediate assistance to journalists for any kind of terminal illness like cancer, fatal accidents and other diseases, introduction of a uniform advertisement policy, reporters’ ease of entry to company’s premises, etc.
Mitra responded by saying that it was a joint responsibility of stakeholders like corporate, government, media and ultimately people as wings of the development vehicle to uphold the true picture of the interface and dialogue. This ecosystem needs a team work for mutual growth. Bibhudatta assured the august gathering that the genuine suggestions will be looked into after consultation with the management. They will revisit the media policy of the company and dovetail the constructive feedback into it to have localised impact. Pitambar said that some suggestions have been worked out & are in place and other suggestions will be realised in a phased manner. Amzad Ali, PRO of the company extended vote of thanks.
