Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has said the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is not a charity, but a duty and responsibility towards society inspired by the highest values of seeking to return to society a part of what we have received in whatever capacity and to whatever extent we can.
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space was addressing the gathering as Chief Guest at the Inaugural session of CSR Dialogue organized by Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP), at Thane, Maharashtra, to mark a decade of the implementation of CSR Act.
India became the first country in the world to legally mandate corporate social responsibility on 1 April 2014. The rules in Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013 make it mandatory for companies of a certain turnover and profitability to spend 2 per cent of their average net profit for the past three years on corporate social responsibility activities.
Stating that social responsibility is part of the Indian sanskaar (culture) and ancient tradition, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the spirit of contributing towards the welfare of society is inherent to every Indian individual, but sometimes it needs an inspiration, provided an outlet and lead to direction.
The Union Minister said the best example of Social Responsibility is the appeal given by PM Modi to the well off citizens who could afford gas connection, to voluntarily surrender their subsidy to the benefit of the deserving and poor. He also reminded how Swami Vivekananda had inspired Jamshedji Tata to spend on healthcare when he established pioneering institutions like the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), the National Center for Performing Art (NCPA) and the Tata Memorial Hospital.
Considering that contribution to society is not limited to the rich and the affluent, Dr Jitendra Singh said it is the duty of every citizen to work for uplift of society through whatever means he can.
“Let each one of us make every effort, not only should we contribute to CSR activity, but also inspire others. We should seek ways to contribute to society in different areas and create infrastructure and institutions for the Viksit Bharat @2047, ” he said.
