Parsadi Lal Meena, Industry Minister of Rajasthan urged business organization to spend more Corporate Social Responsibility on various welfare programmes. While addressing to CSR leaders here in Jaipur, he said, “Your work is not visible. Everybody knows Tata and Birla for their work. But many people have no idea about your activities. You have to do more.”
It has reported that last year, companies have spent Rs 350 crore for various CSR activities in Rajasthan and cumulatively the amount stands at Rs 750 crore to be sent.
Minister even took the names of the leading companies having larger presence in the state which had made glowing presentations of their activities just minutes before. “You should partner with the government in initiatives on cow shelters, drinking water, education and healthcare,” Meena urged the CSR heads and officials of companies who were given awards later for their work.
The fiscal health of the state has been under stress ever since it restructured discom debts of more than Rs 80,000 crore, implemented 7th pay commission and extended farm loan waivers. Now, the government seeks companies’ CSR funds to carry out core welfare schemes for which it does not have adequate funds.
“The state government would like to play its role as a facilitator between the industry and the society, more actively,” said Subodh Agarwal, additional chief secretary, industries.
Rajasthan Government is developing a new CSR website that would focus on 3Cs: CSR, charity and crowd funding. KK Pathak, commissioner industries and secretary, CSR, said, “Charity and crowd funding are potential areas which we want to explore.”
