Invest CSR funds for Development of Local Communities : Raghubar Das [ Chief Minister, Jharkhand ]

Ranchi, Jharkhand, May 08, 2015 :: The first Governing Body meeting of the Jharkhand CSR Council was held in Project Bhawan today under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister of Jharkhand.

Raghubar Das, Chief Minister of Jharkhand said, “Jharkhand has immense potential to become the most prosperous state in India. The government and industry are trustees who must work for the overall development of the state. Companies are equal partners in the development of the state.” While appreciating the CSR work undertaken by Companies in Jharkhand he urged them to spend 2% of their net profit on corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in a focussed manner.

The Chief Minister said that, “The state government has two priority areas for CSR work –
(i) sanitation in the context of Prime Minister Modi’s “Swach Bharat Abhiyaan” with a target of 2019; and
(ii) “Make in India” skill development programme for which a separate Ministry of Skill Development has been set up at the centre. The young people as well as rural women should be skilled through skill development trainings. 32 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) could be taken up and run by companies. West Singhbhum and SanthalPargana are the two focus areas for our government. There is a need to work in a planned and focussed manner to be effective.”

Rajiv Gauba [ Chief Secretary, Government of Jharkhand ] said that the Jharkhand CSR Council is a new beginning led by the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Through institutional mechanisms, we seek to align the companies CSR work with state government priorities. The work under CSR should be consolidated and should benefit all communities. CSR should be seen as an investment initiative for the governments “Ease of Doing Business” programme.

The Jharkhand Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Council was notified on notified on 31 March 2015. The overarching objective of the CSR Council is to ensure that the CSR funds are effectively and fully used for the overall development of the state, with clear outcomes and outputs. The CSR Council will have: a) Governing Body at state level, b) Executive Committee, c) District CSR Committee in districts and d) CSR Secretariat supported by UNICEF Jharkhand.

The approximate proposed CSR spend of companies in Jharkhand for 2015-16 is about 400 crores. The suggested list of activities which companies can take up under CSR are listed in the Jharkhand CSR Council notification dated 31 March 2015. These activities are in the areas of health; nutrition; education; drinking water & sanitation; planning & development; art, culture & sports; industry & skill development, etc.

Ms. Madhulika Jonathan [ OIC, UNICEF Jharkhand] said, “UNICEF will provide technical support to the CSR Secretariat to support companies in planning, monitoring & implementation of CSR activities in Jharkhand. UNICEF has mapped all companies and their CSR spend in the state. The CSR Secretariat will act as a knowledge management centre and organize capacity building programmes on Child Rights and Business Principals (CRBP) and CSR.

The next meeting of the Governing body will be held in 2 months by which time the annual CSR work plans of the companies will include the areas prioritised by the Hon’ble Chief Minister.

The corporate leaders attending the meeting assured the Hon’ble Chief Minister that by the next meeting of the Governing Body to be held in 2 months the annual CSR work plans of the companies will include the areas prioritised by the Hon’ble Chief Minister.

The meeting was attended by Sanjay Kumar [ Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister]; Sunil Barnwal [ Secretary to the Chief Minister ]; K Vidyasagar [ Principal Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare ]; Ms. Vandana Dadel [ Secretary Welfare ]; Ms. AradhanaPatnaik [ Education Secretary ];  Rahul Sharma [ Labour Secretary ]; N N Sinha [ Principal Secretary, Rural Development ]; Dr. Madhulika Jonathan [ OIC UNICEF Jharkhand ]; Ms. Moira Dawa [ Communication Officer, UNICEF Jharkhand ] as well as representatives from TATA Steel, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd; Usha Martin Ltd; Hindalco, Rungta Mines Ltd. ; CCL; NTPC; SAIL; DVC; BCCL; UCIL; Electrosteel Private Ltd; HCL; CII, Assocham, Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce.