Lanjigarh: Vedanta’s Lanjigarh alumina refinery has started the preparation of masks through the local women Self-Help Group (SHG) members and has started the distribution of soaps through the district administration. This is as part of the endeavour to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the communities. The plant has collaborated with 29 SHG members under the Sakhi Project to stitch the masks as per guidelines to meet the rising demand of masks in the region.
The plan is to prepare around 20,000 masks and distribute them amongst the villagers. Vedanta is providing the material to the SHG members free of cost to stitch the masks and is buying the finished masks from them. The company is also making sewing machines available to the SHG members where needed. The masks are then being provided to the community and the local administration for free distribution in the villages in a phased manner.
The plant has started the distribution of masks and anti-bacterial soaps to the villagers through the local administration to encourage the practice of hygiene among them. Continuing the initiative, today 1000 masks and 1000 soaps were handed over to Mr. Jitendra Kumar Mishra, Block Development Officer, Lanjigarh. So far, 4500 masks and 3600 soaps have been distributed by Vedanta Lanjigarh. A team of volunteers has also been deployed by the plant to spread awareness on the usage of masks and soaps among the villagers.
Mr. Rakesh Mohan, Chief Operating Officer, Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh unit further comments on the initiative: “We have proactively undertaken many steps to sensitize our community on how we can collectively prevent the spread of the virus through preventive health measures and hygiene. We would like to further aid the district administration in the fight against COVID-19 through these new initiatives of mask preparation through SHGs and soap distribution among the villagers. Importantly, this will also provide the SHG members a source of income in these times when other means of livelihood are becoming scarce.
Vedanta’s alumina refinery in Lanjigarh has taken stringent steps for the safety and wellbeing for its employees, partners, all stakeholders and communities, in compliance with the guidelines set by the government and in coordination with the local health authorities.
Vedanta is the largest producer of aluminium in India and remains the premier manufacturer of metallurgical grade alumina. The company operates a 2 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) alumina refinery in Lanjigarh (Kalahandi district, Odisha), India since 2007 and an associated 90 MW captive power plant.
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