The TPSODL was awarded for its significant impact through the Livelihood Enhancement Programme under Project ‘SAKSHAM’ to support employability and employment.

Under this initiative, the company has supported over 300 Women Self-Help Groups (WSHGs), empowering them with diverse income-generating activities such as millet cultivation, floriculture, poultry farming, and backyard farming. Women and their groups are being given essential training and relative support for their livelihood enhancement.

Besides, TPSODL’s Vocational Training Centre in Aska has played a key role in shaping the skills of several youths. As of now, hundreds of students have been placed in several organisations across India as welders.

“We are honored to receive the Best CSR Project of the Year award. This recognition proves our commitment to create a positive impact on livelihoods and empowering youth and women with valuable skills. We remain dedicated to contributing to the socio-economic development of the communities in Southern Odisha,” said Amit Kumar Garg, CEO of TPSODL.

The MoU was signed at the TPSODL’s corporate office in the presence of its CEO Amit Kumar Garg and Principal of Gopabandhu Industrial Training Institute, Ambaguda, Jeypore Rajib Lochan Dash on Thursday. The MoU aims at creating a linkage between academic and industry learning for ITI students, enhancing their skills and making them industry-ready.

Under this collaboration, training will be provided with a focus on industry-specific skills, incorporating utmost safety measures. The students of the ITI will have access to hands-on training facilities that simulate real-life circumstances, as well as classroom and practical training options.

“Enhancing the skills of the future workforce is the primary motto of this initiative. Collaborations like this will help shape a high-quality professional workforce in future. Our culture of skill development and safety standards will empower them,” said Garg.

This is the 4th ITI in Odisha which has signed the MoU with TPSODL. Earlier, the company signed the agreement with ITIs at Berhampur, Hinjilicut and Rayagada.

One of the noteworthy endeavours of TPSODL is its commitment to the promotion of millet cultivation. To this end, the organisation has mobilized approximately 500 WSHGs and farmers, providing them with essential resources, a press release said on Wednesday.

TPSODL offers capacity-building programs, training sessions, and input support including seeds and on-ground guidance. The goal is not only to empower these individuals but also to promote the numerous nutritional and health benefits of millet. Millet, known for its resilience in challenging environmental conditions with minimal water and fertilizer requirements, also aids in mitigating the effects of climate change due to its low carbon footprint.

During the kharif season, more than 500 acres of land have been cultivated across 8 districts of TPSODL operational areas. In total, 70 Gram panchayats were involved impacting a total of 500 farmers and WSHGs. Which includes 24 GPs of Ganjam, 8 GPs of Gajapati, 8 GPs of Koraput, 8 GPs of Nabarangpur, 8 GPs of Malkangiri, 9 GPs of Boudh, and 5 GPs of Kandhamal. Looking ahead to the upcoming Rabi season, coinciding with the International Year of Millets, TPSODL aims to extend its support to 1000 acres of land and farmers.

In a bid to raise awareness about millets, TPSODL is organising orientation sessions and group meetings at the village and Gram Panchayat levels. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials in local languages are being distributed, covering topics such as health benefits and millet cultivation guidelines. Expert training sessions are being conducted at the cluster level, educating farmers on the significance of millets, agronomic practices like systematic millet intensification (SMI), line transplanting, and the nutritional advantages of millets.

CEO of TPSODL Amit Garg said, “TPSODL stands shoulder to shoulder with farmers and women’s self-help groups in championing millet cultivation. Also, as we celebrate the International Year of Millets, TPSODL aims to extend further its support in its operational area in the coming days. Together, we are sowing the seeds of empowerment, and sustainability.”

The GRF was inaugurated by Chairperson of the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) Suresh Chandra Mahapatra. The ceremony also attended by Amit Garg, CEO of TPSODL, along with other members of OERC and senior officials of OERC and TPSODL.

The Bhanjanagar GRF is the third GRF of its kind and is a significant step by TPSODL to enhance customer satisfaction and resolve their concerns effectively. This GRF will provide a platform for consumers to voice their concerns and seek redressal for any issue they might encounter regarding their electricity supply. The GRF will also work to ensure that grievances are resolved in a timely and transparent manner, TPSODL said in a release.

Mahapatra said, “The inauguration of the Bhanjanagar Grievance Redressal Forum by TPSODL reflects a positive step towards enhancing consumer satisfaction and resolving their concerns effectively. It is a testament to TPSODL’s commitment by putting the customer first. I am confident that the Bhanjanagar GRF will help to resolve consumer grievances quickly and fairly, and that it will be a valuable resource for the people of Ganjam, Kandhamal, and Boudh districts.”

Presently, TPSODL operates two successful Grievance Redressal Forums in Berhampur and Jeypore, which have proven instrumental in addressing consumer concerns promptly. Bhanjanagar now joins this network as the third GRF, with plans already underway for the establishment of another GRF in Rayagada in the near future. The addition of new GRFs will enable the consumers to approach them at a place closer to them instead of travelling to far away place

Amit Garg said, “Our priority endeavour at TPSODL is to provide a world-class customer experience. The Bhanjanagar GRF is a key part of our commitment by putting the customer at the heart of everything we do. We believe that everyone deserves to have a reliable and affordable electricity, and we are committed to working with our customers to ensure that they have the best possible experience.”