Raigarh, being an industrial hub, relies on these CSR initiatives to improve public welfare.
Synopsis
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending in Raigarh district has seen a drastic decline in the last two years. Despite being home to more than a hundred industries, the district has witnessed a sharp reduction in funds allocated for community welfare projects. In the fiscal year 2022-23, industries in Raigarh collectively spent Rs. 273.34 crores on CSR activities. However, this amount significantly dropped in the following years. In 2023-24, the total CSR expenditure fell to just Rs. 6.73 crores. The situation slightly improved in 2024-25, with Rs. 25.07 crores being allocated.
RAIGARH (India CSR): In the financial year 2022-23, industries in Raigarh spent a total of Rs. 273 crore under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). However, in the following two years, the funds have drastically declined to just Rs. 32 crore. This significant drop was recently presented in Lok Sabha and the State Assembly, raising concerns over CSR transparency and accountability.
During a legislative session on Thursday, the government revealed in response to a question that in 2023-24, only three industries contributed a total of Rs. 6.73 crore, and in 2024-25, another three industries collectively provided Rs. 25.07 crore.
CSR is a mandatory provision requiring industries to contribute to social development projects. Industries extract resources such as land, water, and forests from the region, making it their responsibility to give back to the local communities.
CSR Mismanagement in Raigarh: Where is the Money Going?
Raigarh is witnessing a new form of CSR irregularity. There is no official record of which industry undertook what CSR work or how much each company was required to spend. The amount spent is usually linked to company turnover, yet there is no transparency in the reporting process.
MP from Raipur Brijmohan Agrawal requested a district-wise breakdown of CSR spending, revealing the following figures:
- 2018-19: Rs. 1.18 crore
- 2019-20: Rs. 5.35 crore
- 2020-21: Rs. 6.19 crore
- 2021-22: Rs. 21.05 crore
- 2022-23: Rs. 273.34 crore
This steep rise and fall in CSR funding indicate inconsistencies in compliance and monitoring.
Legislative Inquiry Exposes Gaps
Kharsia MLA Umesh Patel questioned how much CSR funding Raigarh received in 2023-24 and 2024-25, along with details on which industries contributed and where the funds were spent. The response revealed:
- 2023-24: Rs. 6.73 crore from SECL, NTPC Lara, and NTPC Talaipalli
- 2024-25: Rs. 25.07 crore, out of which Rs. 25 crore was solely contributed by NTPC Lara for the Nalanda Campus, meaning that other industries contributed merely Rs. 0.07 crore.
Lack of Oversight Allows Companies to Evade CSR Responsibilities
CSR projects in Raigarh are being implemented without proper approvals. Industries are required to spend based on their turnover, but the local administration has no clear records of how much should be allocated.
This lack of oversight has led to fluctuating CSR expenditures, with Rs. 273 crore spent in 2022-23, dropping to Rs. 7 crore the next year. Due to administrative negligence, industries often provide misleading data and escape scrutiny.
Despite having over 100 industries, only three have made contributions in the last two years, raising serious questions about CSR compliance and corporate accountability in Raigarh.
(Input from Kelo Pravah/India CSR)
