8DECEMBER, 20248DECEMBER, 2024India is strengthening its bilateral ties with Sri Lanka through a series of strategic initiatives, including plans to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Sri Lanka's power plants and connect the power grids of both nations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced these measures during a joint press briefing with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in New Delhi. Additionally, a new petroleum pipeline between the two countries is set to be developed to enhance energy cooperation.India's collaboration with Sri Lanka extends beyond energy, as Modi unveiled plans to assist in implementing a Unique Digital Identity program for the island nation. Highlighting India's commitment to Sri Lanka's development, he stated, "India has so far provided $5 billion in line of credit and grant assistance to Sri Lanka, ensuring our projects align with the country's development priorities." India has been actively involved in all 25 districts of Sri Lanka, focusing on sectors such as housing, renewable energy, agriculture, dairy, fisheries, and infrastructure development.Modi announced further projects to support Sri Lanka's infrastructure and education, including the rehabilitation of the Maho-Anuradhapura railway signaling system and Kankesanthurai Port. He also revealed that from next year, monthly scholarships will be awarded to 200 university students from Jaffna and the Eastern Province, while 1,500 Sri Lankan civil servants will receive training in India over the next five years.The meeting underscored India's holistic approach to developmental cooperation with Sri Lanka, emphasizing strong partnerships in critical areas. Modi's announcements reflect India's broader commitment to fostering regional stability and development, especially in the wake of Sri Lanka's economic challenges.This visit marked President Dissanayake's first international trip since assuming office in September, symbolizing the importance of Sri Lanka-India relations in South Asia. Northern Coalfields Ltd on Sunday said that the coal ministry has invested over Rs 1000 crore under CSR activities over the past decade. NCL, Singrauli-based, has fixed the CSR target for the current financial year at Rs 172.97 crore. As per the statement, "NCL touched the lives of around 10 lakh people and spent more than Rs 1,000 crore on various CSR initiatives in the previous 10 years."In the financial year ended on March 31, the amount spent by the company on CSR under section 135 was 157 crore. Under the guidance of the coal ministry, NCL rolled out 'CHARAK- Community Health: Koylanchal will be initiated by a Responsive Action for Health, a CSR activity that will happen on Sunday, according to the statement. The project is implemented with the main aim of providing probable free treatment to all these patients ­ the poor are equally financially unstable or negative and they fall sick with deadly diseases.As per this, only the beneficiary list will be compiled for those of the Singrauli and Sonbhadra districts only who's family income is less than eight lakhs from all sources. Delivering his speech on the occasion NCL Chairman & MD B Sairam also supported the need and relevance of the scheme in the broader perspective of catering to the requirements of the healthcare initiatives of the underprivileged society or the below-poverty line population of the society of the region. NCL STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY WELFARE WITH 1,000 CRORE CSR INVESTMENTINDIA LEADS IN ALUMINIUM SCRAP IMPORTS, IMPACTING DOMESTIC INDUSTRY GROWTH
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