Companies spent Rs 16.51 billion towards CSR works in Odisha

Companies having operations in Odisha have spent Rs 16.51 billion towards corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the last four years (2014-18).
 

The state has taken a lead among other states in the country creating a council to institutionalize the CSR activities undertaken by the corporates. The council is headed by Chief Secretary with representatives from the government and industry. 
 

Education and Skill Development, Rural Development and Health Care categories have received the maximum allocations under CSR. 
 

These three categories have seen a spending of Rs 13.46 billion accounting for 82 per cent of the CSR expenditure.
 

Education and skill development has seen the highest allocation of Rs 6.05 billion followed by rural development ( Rs 4.34 billion) and health care (Rs 3.07 billion). Companies have also spent Rs 3.05 billion in other categories like environment, swachh bharat and armed forces. 
 

Entities fulfilling the criterions are mandated by Companies Act of 2013 to spend at least two per cent of their average net profit for the immediate preceding three financial years on CSR activities.
 

Odisha government has developed a portal in the name and style of GO CARE which acts as a one-stop shop for all CSR related activities in the state. It guides the corporates about the human developmental indices and priority gap areas for various sectors.
 

As per a recent meeting, there are more than 1000 welfare projects identified and recommended by the council where the corporates were asked to spend their CSR funds. The companies were also directed for more equitable distribution of CSR projects across the state that would aid in reducing the disparity among the districts.
 

Odisha government has divided the districts into two categories for the purpose of recommending CSR projects. Eleven districts of 30 district including the KBK districts are kept the first category while the balance is put under the second category.