The dawn of Independence in 1947 saw India as totally under-developed in agriculture and industry, backward in science & technology and incapable of providing the bare minimum of necessities of life to its people. Zuxtaposed to such a situation was the availability of rich resources sufficient to make the country a strong, self-reliant and progressive nation. These resources were allowed to remain stagnant by the foreign rulers.
In 1947, India had mainly textile and jute industry. Today India has a wide industrial base making it one of the top ten industrialized countries in the world. In 1947, again, India had only 2300 Engineers. Now, 25000 Engineers graduate from Engineering Colleges and Institutes every year. India’s production of electricity and steel exceeds that of England, which was the biggest industrial country at one time.

In the task of strengthening country’s economy, Public Sector has played a major role. There is hardly any area, which is untouched by Public Sector. These include among others, power, steel, machine tools, engineering goods, textile, pharmaceuticals, aircrafts, nuclear energy etc.
One of the primary objectives in the establishment of Public Sector Undertakings was to facilitate all-round development of the then backward regions with PSUs acting as facilitators. A look at the Mission Statement of some of major PSUs, for example Indian Oil, brings out their commitment ‘to help enrich the quality of life of the community and preserve ecological balance and heritage’.

Some of the major areas in which PSEs have made contribution as a Corporate Citizen are: ancillary industries development, overall development of rural areas, special programmes for welfare and rehabilitation of physically handicapped and mentally retarded persons, ecological balance, promotion of cultural and sports activities, preservation of India’s heritage and culture, and development of managerial skills.

Ancillary Industries Development
Apart from its contribution in helping develop a strong industrial base, the PSEs have helped establishment and growth of thousands of small-scale industrial units, called Ancillary Units, throughout the country. For example, Bhilai Steel Plant has helped establish very large number of ancillary industries in and around Durg District in Chhatisgarh. HMT, with its headquarters in Bangalore, has helped in establishment of large number of ancillaries in and outside Bangalore where HMT Units are located. BHEL’s Plants at Bhopal, Tiruchy, Hyderabad, Hardwar and other places have helped in establishment of thousands of small industrial units in States such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, etc. 

These industrial units, besides providing employment to thousands of persons, are today supplying good quality products and sub products not only for the PSUs in their respective areas but throughout the country. Some of the ancillary industries are even exporting their products.

Development of Rural Areas
Throughout the country, PSEs have facilitated all-round development of the rural areas adjoining these units. BHEL has adopted more than 50 villages throughout the country. The welfare activities being carried out in these villages include construction of approach roads, establishment of small-scale units including cottage industries, medical camps, laying water distribution lines, improved drainage system, computer centres, literacy and vocational guidance programmes.

State Bank of India, India’s No.1 Public Sector Bank, as a responsible Corporate Citizen, has been providing   financial and other assistance for community service programmes including organization of blood donation camps, family planning camps, special programmes for school children, and assistance to weaker sections under various Government sponsored schemes for poverty alleviation. The Bank’s assistance to weaker sections covers small and marginal farmers, landless labourers and beneficiaries under Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and sections of Scheduled Caste and Tribe (SC and ST).

Public Sector Oil Companies like Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and Steel giants SAIL, other PSEs like NTPC, LIC, GIC, and HMT have also made a major contribution through various socio-economic welfare activities. 

Responding to the recent conflicts at the border, Hindustan Petroleum contributed Rs. 10 crores to the National Defence Fund for the benefit of our valiant soldiers. Similar contributions were made during and after Kargil conflict and earthquakes in Gujarat.

Ecological Balance
The Public Sector has also made a major contribution in maintaining ecological balance thereby contributing to improvement in quality of life of the people. Apart from Developing environment friendly products and services, the PSEs have helped in the development of green belts in and around their establishments. Indian Oil Corporation has, through its seven refineries alone, planted over 7.5 lakh saplings in recent years. Ecological parks developed at Mathura, Barauni and Guwahati refineries have become havens for a variety of local and migratory birds. Indian Oil’s Mathura Refinery has completed a special drive to plant one lakh saplings in the Taj Trapezium. 

Similarly, BHEL, NTPC, SAIL, HMT and others have made a major contribution in maintaining ecological balance. The battery operated electravan, developed by BHEL’s Bhopal Plant is totally pollution free. Already large numbers of electravans are in operation in States and Union Territories including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, New Delhi and Pondicherry. Some of the BHEL’s units have also won national and even international awards in the field of ecological balance and energy conservation.

Indian Oil Corporation has even set up the Indian Oil Foundation to protect, preserve and promote the national heritage and culture. The Foundation works in close collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India and the National Culture Foundation of the Ministry of Culture. The Foundation proposes to adopt atleast one Heritage Site in every State and Union Territory where it will develop world class facilities and convenience for visitors, besides refueling facilities for travelers.

Developing Top Management Skill
The Public Sector has made a major contribution in development of top managerial skills not only for PSEs but also for the Corporate Sector. PSEs like BHEL, NTPC, LIC, SBI, and others have established top class training institutes where managerial personnel are exposed to the latest advances in the field of HRD and Management in the World.

Some of the top managers in well-known Corporate Sector companies like Reliance, Compton Greaves, TISCO, ITC, Maruti, Birla Group of Companies etc. are the products of PESs - an evidence of the role of the Public Sector as a Corporate Citizen in the vital area.