IB Thermal/Jharsuguda, Odisha : In a pioneering step towards empowering rural youth, the OPGC CSR initiative has launched a unique skill development programme, enabling children from villages around the IB Thermal Power Station to pursue technical training at Government ITI, Hirakud, with full financial support from OPGC.
In a special event held today at the IB Club of IB Thermal Power Station, Minister of Revenue & Disaster Management, Shri Suresh Pujari, felicitated the students who have taken admission at Hirakud ITI sponsored by OPGC. Moreover, the ceremony took place in the presence of OPGC Managing Director, Sri Kedar Ranjan Pandu, and Director-Operation, Shri Anjana Ranjan Dash. On this occasion, the Minister awarded gifts and certificates to the students to recognize their efforts and encourage skill development.
For the academic session 2025–26, a total of 29 students — 13 female and 16 male — from the gram panchayats of Telenpali (3 students), Kumbharbandh (15 students), Tilia (4 students), Remenda (5 students), and Kushraloi (2 students) have enrolled in diverse ITI trades. These include Instrument Mechanic (Chemical Plant) for 4 students, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technician for 5 students, Dress Making for 13 students (female), and Welder for 7 students. During the event, Minister Pujari lauded OPGC’s CSR activities and additionally urged the company to include more developmental programmes in its CSR portfolio.
This programme removes financial barriers for underprivileged students and, consequently, provides them with opportunities to gain industry-relevant skills. OPGC covers admission charges, tuition fees, hostel accommodation, and monthly mess expenses. Furthermore, Director-Operation, Shri Anjana Ranjan Dash, emphasized that the core objective of this initiative is to equip local youth with employable skills, thereby improving their chances of securing jobs in industries within Jharsuguda district and beyond.
Managing Director, Sri Kedar Ranjan Pandu, highlighted OPGC’s recent achievements in enhancing technical efficiency and digitization in power generation, which have consequently earned the company national recognition as a major technological advance organization. He also stressed that the CSR initiative will continue as a long-term programme, with plans to expand its scope in line with future community needs.
Additionally, the Minister digitally inaugurated seven newly completed rural infrastructure projects under OPGC’s CSR programme. These include community centres at Dhobadera in Telenpali GP (Rs.14.68 Lakh), renovation of Prasanna Kumar Panda Memorial High School at Banharpali and Arjun Gupta Girls High School at Phatapali in Tilia GP (total Rs.22.50 Lakh), a kitchen facility at Binka Primary School (Rs.10.93 Lakh), repair of the road from Telenpali to Khadam (Rs.2.20 crore), and community centres at Kishanpada (Kumbharbandh GP), Pondri (Pondri GP), and Jharmunda (Kumbharbandh GP) at Rs.18.43 Lakh each.
Other dignitaries present included Sri Sukanta Mohapatra, Sr. Vice President (Operation), Sri Subashish Mukherjee, Head (HR & IR), Sri Satyapriya Behera, Plant Manager OPGC Units 1 & 2, and Sri Sudhakar Swain, Plant Manager OPGC Units 3 & 4.
Through this OPGC CSR initiative, the company demonstrates its strong commitment to skill development, youth empowerment, and sustainable community growth. Consequently, it creates lasting opportunities for rural students and strengthens the local socio-economic fabric.
