Skip to main content

CSR funds are not going to grassroots level civil society organizations: VANI

By A Representative
The high-profile NGO Voluntary Action Network India (VANI) has welcomed the Government of India move to appoint a High-Level Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility under the chairmanship of Injeti Srinivas, secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), to review the existing framework and guide and formulate the roadmap for a coherent policy on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The committee is entrusted with the task of analyzing outcomes of CSR activities/programmes/projects and suggesting innovative solutions, use of technology, platform to connect stakeholders, and social audit.
In a letter to Srinivas, and signed by K Shivakumar, VANI says, it has already presented 16 recommendations for advocating the effectiveness of CSR, adding, it conducted two programmes Tamil Nadu, where grassroots civil society organisations (CSO) complained that they are not able to get funds from CSR.
According to VANI, CSR funds are not flowing to the grassroots organizations even though the CSR rules envisage that they should go to the society and grassroots organizations, so that they reach the needy people.
The need is to revisit the existing rules and to form separate body either under NITI-Ayog or a separate institution may be formed to arrange and regulate the flow so that CSR amount, VANI says, adding, it hopes, the new CSR committee will consist of equal number of CSO, corporate and officials of the government, with a CSO member should be chairman.

Comments

TRENDING

Gharapuri's discoveries: India finds a maritime past, ASI an app

By Gajanan Khergamker  The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has once again demonstrated an extraordinary talent for mistaking administrative housekeeping for institutional achievement. At the very moment excavations at Gharapuri are yielding evidence that could fundamentally reshape our understanding of India's maritime past, the institution has chosen to celebrate the rollout of QR-enabled audio guides and GPS-supported navigation at its monuments. The contrast could not be starker. 

Bihar’s land at ₹1 per acre for Adani sparks outrage, NAPM calls it crony capitalism

By A Representative   The National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) has strongly condemned the Bihar government’s decision to lease 1,050 acres of land in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur district, to Adani Power for a 2,400 MW coal-based thermal power project. 

What's behind Columbia's president-elect speaking out against continuing the country’s peace agenda

By Laura Violeta Devia López  There are just over three weeks left before Abelardo De La Espriella takes office as Colombia’s new president, despite the numerous allegations that cast a shadow over his election and, as usual, discredit the Colombian electoral system. The announcements already being made by Abelardo and his designated cabinet mark a significant change of course, not only for the Colombian people but also for the country’s place in the world.