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Help govt reach last mile through CSR, MCCIA tells Pune Inc
Corporates and NGOs participated in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit organised by Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) to strengthen CSR initiatives in Pune.
More than 100 representatives of various corporates and NGOs participated in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit organised by Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) on Friday to strengthen CSR initiatives in Pune.
In his keynote address, Sameer Sharma, director general and CEO, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs urged corporates to undertake needs assessment and conceptualise work patterns before commencing on CSR activities.
“The first step for any corporate before indulging into CSR activities should be understanding the needs of the people and then conceptualise the projects. We have to be look after the fact that ultimate needs of the people have to be met and while doing so the government is completely supporting all such initiatives,” he said.
Sharma noted that the ease of living for the people needed to be addressed.
Pradeep Bhargava, president MCCIA pointed out that it was not possible for the government to reach the last mile in all instances and hence corporates must contribute through CSR funding. “While doing so, we must never think that the intent of doing a CSR activity is any sort of atonement for having done anything wrong,” he said.
Appreciating MCCIA’s initiative, Sita Ram Gupta, executive director, Lupin Foundation said, “The basic goal of such a CSR summit is universal welfare. We have to create an environment where individuals can realise their optimal potential and make them aware of the opportunities of contributing to the society and the nation.”
Current slowdown will not impact CSR activity: Girbane
Prashant Girbane, director general, Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA), speaks to Hindustan Times on the sidelines of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) summit organised by MCCIA in the city on Friday.
A lot has been spoken on the current economic slowdown in the country. How does it affect the CSR spending of the corporates in the country?
I don’t think that the current slowdown will have a major impact on CSR spending because it needs to be seen in the perspective of the quantum of the slowdown. Let us recognise and accept that there is a slowdown, however, it is not a gloom and doom situation and there is a difference in both of the terminologies. Hence, the current slowdown will not have considerable differences in how CSR should be spent.
Government of India has made it very clear that they are not enforcing any sort of taxation on corporates through CSR activities. However, many companies with sizable profits are still not willing to spend even two per cent of their money earned for CSR activities. How do we encourage them?
Some steps have been undertaken by the ministry of corporate affairs in this regards. However, the government does not intend to take any steps of criminal actions. Having said so, we are looking forward to what steps will be undertaken. While we support companies to make profits as that’s how jobs are created, however, at the same time conducting CSR activities is equally our job and corporates must undertake these initiatives.
What was the motive behind MCCIA organising CSR summit?
The basic motive of this CSR summit is that corporates can come together and share their perspectives. With the exchange of ideas, many may get inspired to commence CSR activities with new ideas.
