CSR support to strengthen the state government’s assistance for flood-affected communities
GUWAHATI (India CSR®): Indian Bank has contributed Rs. 1.20 crore to the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to support communities affected by floods across the state. The contribution, made under the public sector bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, will assist ongoing relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken by the Assam government, the bank informed today.
Relief Support
According to bank statement, the financial assistance is expected to strengthen the government’s response to the humanitarian needs arising from the floods. Relief funds are generally deployed to provide essential supplies, temporary shelter, healthcare support and other assistance to affected families, along with measures required for their recovery. Assam regularly faces severe flooding during the monsoon season, disrupting livelihoods, damaging homes and public infrastructure, and affecting access to basic services. Corporate contributions can supplement government resources and help accelerate assistance for vulnerable communities during such emergencies.
Cheque Presented
Indian Bank Field General Manager, Guwahati, Binu J. Pillai, and Zonal Manager, Guwahati, Alok Kumar, presented the contribution cheque to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on behalf of the bank. The initiative reflects Indian Bank’s stated commitment to assisting communities during natural disasters and supporting recovery efforts at critical moments. By directing the contribution through the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, the bank has aligned its assistance with the state administration’s coordinated relief programme.
Wider CSR Focus
Indian Bank undertakes CSR programmes across areas including social welfare, humanitarian assistance, education, healthcare, environmental sustainability and financial inclusion. These interventions are intended to address immediate community needs while contributing to broader and more inclusive development. The latest contribution places disaster response within the bank’s wider social responsibility framework. It also demonstrates the role financial institutions can play in supporting public relief systems, particularly when natural disasters create urgent requirements for resources, rehabilitation and community-level assistance, the bank said.
CSR Classification
Although the MCA’s General Circular No. 15/2020 was issued in the context of COVID-19, its clarification reflects the broader provisions of Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013. Schedule VII permits disaster-management activities, including relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction, but does not specifically recognise contributions to a Chief Minister’s Relief Fund as eligible CSR expenditure. Therefore, Indian Bank’s Rs. 1.20 crore contribution represents significant humanitarian assistance to Assam’s flood-affected communities; however, its classification as statutory CSR expenditure would depend on its structure and compliance with the applicable CSR provisions. A direct contribution to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund may not, by itself, qualify as admissible CSR expenditure, while expenditure on an approved disaster-relief, rehabilitation or reconstruction project may qualify under Schedule VII.
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