From community development to mandated CSR: CIL’s evolving social spend

Prior to the 2013 Companies Act, CIL and its subsidiaries operated under the Community Development (CD) Policy of 2005. That framework required assistance to villages within an eight‑kilometre radius of mining sites, covering drinking‑water supply, health camps and modest infrastructure projects.

During the three years before the CSR law came into effect (FY 2011‑12 to FY 2013‑14), CIL’s community‑development expenditure rose from Rs 82 crore to Rs 409 crore. While the work was praised for its relevance on the ground, the absence of a continuous institutional mechanism limited its scalability.

Post‑2013, the statutory CSR regime introduced a structured, recurring commitment. CIL’s current approach channels at least 80 % of its CSR funds to the 25‑kilometre zone around mines and plants, ensuring that benefits stay where mining impact is greatest.