CSR Expenditure, Economic Growth and Household Welfare: Evidence from the Mining Region of Koraput, Odisha

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has emerged as an important instrument for promoting inclusive growth and regional development, particularly in mining-affected areas. The present study examines the trend, pattern, and developmental impact of CSR expenditure of National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) in Odisha, with special reference to Koraput district. The study is based on both secondary and primary data. Secondary data on CSR budget and expenditure for the period 2014-15 to 2024-25 were collected from NALCO CSR reports and analysed using descriptive statistics and trend analysis. The relationship between CSR expenditure and Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Odisha was examined using a log-linear regression model. In addition, primary data were collected from 300 households in mining and non-mining regions of the Koraput district to assess the impact of CSR interventions on household income through multiple regression analysis. The results indicate that CSR expenditure has shown an overall increasing trend, with a recent shift in focus towards healthcare and education. Regression results reveal that CSR expenditure in Odisha has a positive and significant impact on GSDP, suggesting its contribution to regional economic growth. However, household-level analysis suggests that CSR interventions have not yet translated into significant income enhancement for beneficiary households. The study concludes that while CSR contributes to macro-level development, greater emphasis on income-generating and livelihood-oriented interventions is required to enhance its effectiveness at the grassroots level.