Page 4 - Corporate Social Responsibility

CSR spending not source of financing resource gaps in govt schemes: MCA

Corporate Social Responsibility spending under the companies law should not be interpreted as a source of financing the resource gaps in government schemes, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has said as it issued a detailed set of FAQs for the effective implementation of CSR norms. Activities undertaken by companies as part of the normal course of business is not considered CSR work. However, the ministry has provided an exemption for companies engaged in R&D activities for new vaccines, drugs and medical devices in their normal course of business with respect to COVID. The exemption would be in place for three financial years till FY 2022-23, as per the FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) dated August 25. "This exclusion is allowed only in case the companies are engaged in R&D in collaboration with organisations as mentioned in item (ix) of Schedule VII and disclose the same in their board reports," the ministry said. The organisations are specified under item ix of Schedule ...

Industrialist Siddharth Shriram's zest for life: A son remembers

A writer on a wide variety of issues as a result of his interest in creating construct­ive debate for challenges facing India, he was instrumental in founding Delhi Policy Group

Contradictory AAR verdicts on CSR under GST regime baffle companies

Recently, the Uttar Pradesh AAR had held that CSR spend by companies is eligible for input tax credit

Govt mandates companies to disclose investments in cryptocurrencies

Govt asks companies to also reveal CSR spend, benami property transactions from FY22

CSR funds not used for implementing govt schemes: MoS Finance

The government said CSR funds are not used for implementing the government's central schemes.

India's new CSR regulations make philanthropy compulsory for companies

New CSR rules replacing comply-or-explain regulations with a mandatory regimen have raised the stakes for large corporations

Companies can't hold capital assets created with CSR funds: Experts

If such capital expenditure was incurred as part of CSR in the past, the assets need to be transferred within six months.

Trusts and societies have till April 1 to register with MCA under CSR rules

CSR rules notified by MCA; multi-year projects allowed with a time-limit of three years

Govt amends CSR rules; allows cos to undertake multi-year projects

The government on Friday amended various rules pertaining to the CSR regime

How a Bengaluru NGO raised Rs 220 crore for fight against coronavirus

How GiveIndia's campaign to raise Rs 220 crore for Covid relief gathered a momentum of its own pulling in many much-maligned segments of society

Corporate spending patterns may change as pandemic chaos hits CSR hard

Talks with key executives in listed firms reveal diversion from existing plans such as supporting cancer hospitals, towards giving all the money under their budget to help deal with pandemic

World is getting more serious about ESG compliance. India must catch up too

There is a global movement towards making businesses more responsible and India should also make efforts in that direction

Best of BS Opinion: Mainstreaming of ESG, growing cyber-risks & more

Here's a selection of Business Standard opinion pieces for the day

Experts suggest policy changes to boost coronavirus research & development

Funding Covid-related research now included in CSR spends

R&D for treating Covid-19 by pharmaceutical firms part of CSR activities

Activities undertaken by companies in normal course of business also part of CSR

Reimagining CSR

For long it was considered that a company is collective of shareholders and, therefore, the best interest of shareholders is the best interest of the company

Letter to BS: Protect Western Ghats from turning into a concrete jungle

Already, many parts of the Ghats have suffered due to urbanisation and no more damage to them should be permitted even for rail links.

Easing woes: Unsung warriors who helped the poor during Covid-19 lockdown

A new report highlights the role played by non-profit organisations in mitigating the effects of Covid-19 despite facing financial and other constraints

Trustees of PM CARES appoint SARC & Associates as auditor of fund

Opposition parties have questioned how the PM CARES Fund is being kept out of the audit purview of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

CSR biggies cross Rs 7,500 cr in Covid-19 spend: Crisil Foundation report

Around 57 per cent of the amount - which can be classified under the head CSR - went to the PM CARES Fund