BALCO Reinforces Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion through Progressive Policies
6th July 2026
Balconagar, July 6, 2026: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited, a unit of Vedanta Aluminium Metal Limited, reinforced its commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace through a month-long Pride Month campaign, engaging over 2,000 employees, business partners and community members. The campaign featured awareness sessions, employee engagement activities, competitions, financial literacy workshops, employee stories, quizzes, and a Pride March, strengthening understanding of LGBTQIA+ inclusion while encouraging allyship and belonging across the organisation.
Strengthening inclusion, BALCO has introduced progressive policies that address the unique needs of transgender employees. The Education Support Policy provides financial assistance of up to INR 1 lakh for employees pursuing professional education after completing 18 months of service. Complementing this, the Gender Reaffirmation Policy offers 30 days of paid leave along with financial assistance of up to INR 2 lakh towards gender reaffirmation surgery. So far, seven employees have benefited from these initiatives, systematically addressing existing gaps and promoting equitable opportunities for all.
Speaking on inclusion, Mr. Rajesh Kumar Singh, CEO & Whole-time Director, BALCO, said, “At BALCO, diversity is a source of strength and inclusion is fundamental to building a high-performing organisation. We believe every individual deserves the opportunity to contribute, grow and succeed with dignity. Our focus extends beyond progressive policies to fostering a culture where respect, equal opportunity and belonging are reflected in everyday experiences. With 21 transgender employees in our workforce today, we aspire to further strengthen representation in the years ahead.”
Sharing her experience, Devsena, a transgender employee at BALCO, said, “When I joined BALCO after completing my B.Tech, I was eager to begin my career, but I never imagined I would also be able to continue my education while working. Learning that BALCO actively encourages higher studies gave me the confidence to pursue my M.Tech alongside my job. I am now in my final semester, and I feel proud of how far I have come. This degree has helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I am grateful to work for an organisation that believes in my potential and supports my aspirations.”
As part of the month-long campaign, BALCO organised a Pride March across the township, bringing together employees, business partners and community members in support of equality and allyship. In collaboration with the Department of Posts, Government of India, the company also conducted a Financial Well-being Awareness Session to promote financial independence. Throughout the month, BALCO’s DE&I mascot, DiversiDI, led an advocacy campaign through awareness messages, employee stories, quizzes and educational content.
BALCO’s inclusion strategy is anchored in a three-pronged approach: skill mapping to identify transgender individuals with relevant capabilities for industrial roles; skill development through structured technical, operational and behavioural learning interventions; and cultivating an inclusive environment through sensitisation and supportive workplace practices. Through these focused interventions, BALCO has built a workforce of LGBTQIA+ employees working across core manufacturing functions, including material handling, forklift operations and security, enabling them to thrive with dignity and purpose.
About BALCO:
Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) is a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, operating a 0.57 million tonne per annum aluminium smelter in Korba, Chhattisgarh. It is part of Vedanta’s Aluminium Business, a division of Vedanta Limited, which is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium, i.e., 2.42 million tonnes in FY25. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow. For more information, please log on to
www.balcoindia.com
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Disclaimer:
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” – that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “should” or “will.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets including the London Metal Exchange, fluctuations in interest and or exchange rates and metal prices; from future integration of acquired businesses; and from numerous other matters of national, regional, and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.
About Vedanta Limited:
Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil
& Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver,
Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa, Namibia, and
Australia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building.
Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong
focus on health, safety, and environment. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is
focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. Under the aegis of Vedanta Cares, the
flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars have been set up as model anganwadis focused on
eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, healthcare, and empowering women with
skill development. Vedanta and its group companies have been featured in Dow Jones
Sustainability Index 2020, and were conferred Frost & Sullivan Sustainability Awards 2020,
CII Environmental Best Practices Award 2020, CSR Health Impact Award 2020, CII National
Award 2020 for Excellence in Water Management, CII Digital Transformation Award 2020, ICSI
National Award 2020 for excellence in Corporate Governance, People First HR Excellence Award
2020, ‘Company with Great Managers 2020’ by People Business and certified as a Great Place
to Work 2021. Vedanta’s flagship Nand Ghar Project was identified as best CSR project by the
Government of Rajasthan. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the
National Stock Exchange in India and has ADRs listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
For more information, please visit
www.vedantalimited.com
