Category: News

FMCG firm Godrej Consumer Product Ltd (GCPL) has spent Rs 19.49 crore on the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in the 2019-20 fiscal year, about 23 percent lower than the mandated amount of Rs 25.34 crore

FMCG firm Godrej Consumer Product Ltd (GCPL) has spent Rs 19.49 crore on the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in the 2019-20 fiscal year, about 23 percent lower than the mandated amount of Rs 25.34 crore.

The CSR provision requires affected companies to spend at least 2 percent of their average net profits made in the preceding three years on CSR.

GCPL’s CSR spending stood at Rs 21.87 crore in the 2018-19 fiscal year.

In its annual report, the company said its average net profit in the last three fiscal years was Rs 1,267 crores and prescribed CSR budget was Rs 25.34 crore for the 2019-20 fiscal.

“A total of Rs 19.49 crore was spent, against the mandated amount of Rs 25.34 crore. The unspent amount is Rs 5.85 crore,” the company said.

The CSR Committee has approved that the unspent funds be carried forward to the 2020-21 fiscal in addition to the prescribed 2 percent CSR budget for 2020-21, it said.

According to GCPL, projects worth this amount had been sourced and committed, with signed MoUs and deliverables agreed during the financial year itself.

“In order to ensure proper utilization of funds and high-quality results from our CSR initiatives, we believe in funding projects on tranche basis. The whole grant is not given upfront in advance and is instead given in stages when certain milestones are achieved,” it said.

This led to an underspend of Rs 5.85 crore during the financial year. The Company is committed to spend the unspent funds specifically for the selected projects in 2020-21, it added.

The company spent CSR funds on livelihood enhancement projects, promoting preventive healthcare, rural development projects, environment sustainability, education and traditional arts during 2020-21.

About 80 per cent of GCPL’s product portfolio comprises health, hygiene, and value for money product.

The industry should not shy away from spending its CSR fund as it would help make India a better place for present and future generations, Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur said today. He also said that the government

The industry should not shy away from spending its CSR fund as it would help make India a better place for present and future generations, Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur said today.

He also said that the government has made several changes in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) law to de-criminalise certain provisions.

Without taking name, Thakur said that a multi-national company which had not spent close to Rs 500 crore in the last two years as part of its CSR activities was issued notice earlier after which it was “happy” to spend that money at that time.

But now when the government has de-criminalised certain provisions, it is “running away again from spending that money”.

“On one hand, we help the corporate so that they do not need to go through this pain of criminal sections, but on the other hand.. if the companies are making millions, not only millions but billions out of India…why they do not want to spend that money on the Indians,” he said in a Ficci webinar on CSR.

“So that is why at times the government is forced to bring in such kind of sections into the CSR. So my request to all of you is that it is our responsibility towards our nation, towards our public, and I am sure all of you, who have contributed immensely, will contribute more and bring more people out of poverty and make India a better place for present and future generations,” he added.

The minister also requested the industry to create more awareness to contain pollution of rivers and also help the government in its fight against coronavirus.

On rising pollutant levels in rivers like Yamuna and Ganga post lockdowns, the minister said that lesser pollution in rivers in the last two months showed that it is the industry which was the main source of pollution.

He said it is a sign from the nature so the focus should not be only on making profits but also on contributing in a different manner.

“Start affluent treatment plants, do not throw waste into the rivers or fields. This is putting more burden on hospitals….it is not good for India,” Thakur added.

The Minister also said that CSR is an opportunity to work with like-minded partners for the betterment of the society at large. Business cannot be successful if the society around you does not prosper.

A well planned and well-executed CSR activity can help in fostering a strong bond between the company and its people. It also helps in developing a deeper human connection, he said, adding that consumers now are also aware and they like to align with companies that invest their time, money and efforts in creating a sustainable environment for all.

Thakur said that CSR is the most pertinent means for corporates to connect with their audience. Setting up a plant at any location, not only helps the immediate locality but the country at large by the industry’s contribution in uplifting and helping the poor.

He added that corporate from diverse sectors have been recognized and rewarded today for contributing towards social good.

In the unprecedented times of COVID-19, the Minister said the government has responded decisively with a strong approach and the need is to strengthen participation from the private sector.

“I would urge each one of you, to do your bit in this battle against coronavirus,” he added.

The Minister was speaking at the 18th FICCI CSR Awards virtual presentation ceremony where 8 companies were conferred with the FICCI CSR Awards and 18 finalists were acknowledged with an appreciation Plaque.

Speaking about the CSR awards, FICCI President Sangita Reddy said that the applicant companies showcased exemplary CSR projects being implemented in remote parts of India on issues ranging from skill development for marginalised youth, to digital and financial inclusion of women, to access to quality education for children with disabilities, creating livelihood through environmentally sustainable strategies.

“I am delighted to share that FICCI was the first business chamber in India to recognise the importance of CSR for inclusive and sustainable development of India in the background of a globalised world,” she added.

FICCI CSR & Community Development Committee and FICCI-Aditya Birla CSR Centre of Excellence Chairperson Rajashree Birla said that this is the time to focus on redesigning and creating market-based solutions to alleviate poverty.

“This is the time for new innovations, potentially transformative solutions that complement and tackle social issues, fuel economic growth and make a difference to the lives of 1.3 billion people,” she said, adding that coordinated effort amongst stakeholders is needed to emerge out of the pandemic situation.

Birla said the CSR platform, through leveraging the demographic dividend that the rural and urban poor offer, can be a good vehicle for this transformative growth trajectory.

“This way we could see that the goods are produced locally and consumed globally. In doing so, we will be aligning well with the Prime Minister’s call for the promotion of ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’,” she added.

Mumbai-based tyre manufacturing company Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT) today said it has reached out with relief material to 4 lakh affected people in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic across the country. The company has distributed cooked meals

Mumbai-based tyre manufacturing company Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT) today said it has reached out with relief material to 4 lakh affected people in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic across the country.

The company has distributed cooked meals, daily needs packets, crucial hospital equipment and important preventative gear to front line workers in a bid to prevent the spread of the disease.

In a statement, BKT said it has distributed specially cooked meals to over 4,00,000 people in collaboration with the NGO Akshaya Patra. This activity was carried out by the BKT team members located in various parts of India with the help of BKT distribution partners as well as the local district administration.

In addition to the distribution of cooked meals, food aid and daily needs packets were provided by BKT in various parts of the country, including in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, it said.

More than 3,00,000 kg of wheat flour, 60,000 litres of cooking oil, 60,000 kg of lentils, 60,000 kg of salt, 1,20,000 kg of rice, 60,000 kg of sugar, 60,000 kg of spice bags and 60,000 bottles of soap were distributed.

BKT, in collaboration with SIN and Monte Bianco Apparel Brands, donated 25,000 PPE kits to medical staff treating COVID-19 patients, consisting of a protective suit with hood, a face shield, a mask, a pair of gloves and shoe covers.

BKT alos supplied 12 number of Hemodynamic monitors at a total cost of Rs 1,15,20,000 to Tata Memorial Hospital. These monitors are an important part of the ventilators, which are the lifesaving critical equipment used for patients suspected or diagnosed with COVID19 infections.

The staff of BKT provided concrete support to the relief funds by gifting a day’s salary and raising Rs 10,000,000. This amount was doubled by the Chairman of the board, Arvind Poddar to ensure help for as many affected people as possible.

Speaking about the donation, BKT Joint Managing Director Rajiv Poddar said: “This is a time when humanity should triumph over everything else, and we have put in great effort to help ease the plight of people all over the country, so we can all come out stronger.”

Since its inception, BKT has actively donated to several noteworthy causes such as education, relief for farmers amongst others and will continue to do so actively and passionately.

The BKT group manufactures an extensive and modern range of off-highway tires specifically for vehicles operating in agricultural, industrial, earthmoving, mining, port, ATV and gardening industries. BKT’s innovative solutions entail over 2,700 different products sold in more than 160 countries worldwide.

Muskurahat Foundation today announced the launch of ‘Project Saarthi’ to help youth leaving shelter homes in rural areas identify and secure job opportunities. The Project Saarthi aims to help youth (18 years and above)

Muskurahat Foundation today announced the launch of ‘Project Saarthi’ to help youth leaving shelter homes in rural areas identify and secure job opportunities.

The Project Saarthi aims to help youth (18 years and above) — who are required to leave the shelter homes as per the existing Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act — to find employment on an emergency basis and work with them in the long term to identify and take steps towards building their choice of career.

The long-term vision of the project is to support the youngsters in equipping them with life skills and mental health support to be able to uplift themselves from their current situation, the Foundation said in a statement.

As part of the project, the Foundation today conducted job readiness training to a pilot batch of 35 youth in Kolhapur, Maharasthra

Each of them were paired with one mentor to guide them in identifying their life goals and action plans to achieve it. Additionally, a scholarship has also been made available to all participants to take up skill building courses to bridge their skill gap, it said.

Commenting on the training, Muskurahat Foundation Founder Himanshu Goenka said: “We realised the lack of NGO penetration in Kolhapur and surrounding areas, a result of which is the lack of exposure for the children in shelter homes. These children anyway grow up with the absence of a family that takes care of your basic needs till the time they are able to earn their own living.”

“…We took quick decisions to support them in the interim to resolve their immediate requirements while keeping our focus on the long term that is to help them build quality lives for themselves,” he added.

With the pilot batch underway, the learnings are helping the NGO plan and execute more batches that will serve the large community of youth care-leavers currently in need in Kolhapur.

The slowdown of the economy rendered these youth jobless and unable to manage their living expenses. While the temporary relief through donations was available during the initial months, it has started dwindling and raised the requirement of a regular earning source for their sustenance.

The youngsters who leave the shelter homes lack awareness and exposure to career guidance, finding employment and work skills. As a result, they take up low-paying, odd jobs in the unorganized sector, which is one of the worst affected sectors during this pandemic, it added.

HCL Foundation today invited online application from NGOs working in rural India for providing institutionalized grants up to Rs 16.5 crore under its flagship programme ‘HCL Grant’. Application has been invited for the sixth edition of HCL Grant

HCL Foundation today invited online application from NGOs working in rural India for providing institutionalized grants up to Rs 16.5 crore under its flagship programme ‘HCL Grant’.

Application has been invited for the sixth edition of HCL Grant, the most coveted institutionalized CSR grants of India.

The last date for submitting the application is August 8, 2020. NGOs can apply on the website https://www.hclfoundation.org/hcl-grant.

According to the Foundation, the Grant is applicable for NGOs working in the field of education, health and environment and that have an experience of implementing projects in rural India.

Those organizations are eligible who with innovative, replicable and sustainable models can make a significant contribution towards rural development in the categories of education, health and environment, it said in a statement.

Three NGOs will be awarded with a grant of Rs 5 crore each for a 3-5 year project. The remaining two finalist NGOs in each category will be awarded a one-year grant of Rs 25 lakh, taking the overall Grant commitment Rs 16.5 crore.

HCL Grant, an initiative by HCL Foundation — the philanthropic arm of HCL Technologies — is a step towards recognition of the ‘The Fifth Estate’ contributing towards the nation building.

Started in 2015, it is a commitment by HCL to strengthen transformation in the areas of education, health and environment by reaching out to marginalized, isolated and underdeveloped rural communities, and achieve sustainable socio-economic development.

A unique aspect of the HCL Grant is that the organizations are recognized not only based on the ‘idea’, but also for their power to transform ideas into implementable projects and thereby transform Indian villages in a sustainable way.

The Foundation said some changes have been made in the current edition of HCL Grant. From the current edition onward, the eligibility criteria in the education and health categories concerning an NGO’s average annual expenditure over the last three years has been reduced from Rs 1.5 crores to Rs 1 crore.

Also, henceforth, NGOs will need to submit only a brief concept note of the proposal in Stage 1 (as per the online format). Detailed proposals will be required only in Stage 2 from the shortlisted NGOs.

“There will be no charge or fees while submitting the application,” it said.

No authorized individual, third party, company, agency or organization may accept an application on behalf of the HCL Grant or ask for any benefit, either monetary or in kind, for completing the application process, it added.

In these times of COVID-19 crisis, the Foundation said the HCL Grant’s commitment will remain directed towards the objective of achieving sustainable, replicable and scalable rural development, through long-term strategies.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has opened a range of challenges in rural India, over and above the already prevailing conditions. While HCL Foundation recognizes that the applicant NGOs will take into consideration these challenges, it requests NGOs to ensure that the HCL Grant proposal remains focused on transformation and impactful rural development, in the areas of environment, health and education, through innovative, relevant and cost-effective strategies,” it noted.

While applying for the HCL Grant Edition VI, the Foundation said it is imperative that the COVID-19 pandemic situation on the ground should to be taken into consideration.

The pandemic has impacted various states and districts differently, and therefore it is critical that the situation assessment is done at micro-macro levels while developing long term solutions towards issues related to environment, health and education in rural belt of India, it said.

The NGOs will be treating COVID-19 as the ‘new normal’ till the world finds a permanent solution to it, yet focusing on regular rural developmental areas while taking all measures to contain the spread of the pandemic. This further calls for NGOs to strengthen the aspects of ‘innovation’ and ‘use of technology’ in their HCL Grant application, it added.

Edible oil trade body Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) on Sunday said it has provided food and nutrition support as part of its CSR initiative to labourers, farmers and less privileged people in Maharashtra amid the COVID-19 crisis

Edible oil trade body Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) on Sunday said it has provided food and nutrition support as part of its CSR initiative to labourers, farmers and less privileged people in Maharashtra amid the COVID-19 crisis.

In the last four months, the Association has distributed 10,000 kg of sugar in Thane district and 4,500 kg of edible oil in Mumbai and Thane.

Besides, 10,000 ready meals were distributed for ten days in Gowandi area of Mumbai, 5,000 ready meals to Majiwada migrant labourers in Thane and another 5,000 ready to eat packs to BMC hospitl staff and police department.

That apart, 63,000 mini meals containing masala oats and ready khichadi packs were distributed. About ten COVID suraksha boxes to police staff were given, it said in a statement.

Mumbai-based SEA said it is continuing with the CSR activities to provide relief to the lowest strata of the society and daily wagers.

SEA with 750 membership is an apex body for vegetable oil industry and trade in India. It is recognized as a NGO by the Union Agriculture Ministry and also as trade promotion organisation by the Union Commerce Ministry.

PROJECT MUMBAI, an award-winning model of Public-People-Private Participation known for social transformation through initiatives of scale, especially during its fight against COVID-19 in Mumbai, has been selected by the UN SDG Action Campaign

PROJECT MUMBAI, an award-winning model of Public-People-Private Participation known for social transformation through initiatives of scale, especially during its fight against COVID-19 in Mumbai, has been selected by the UN SDG Action Campaign as one of the global recipients for the Solidarity Award 2020

Shishir Joshi, CEO and Founder and Project Mumbai are among the 50 chosen globally for this honour, an official statement said.

Among the top fifty recipients in the world, three from India have made it to the global fifty list of winners, PROJECT Mumbai being one of them and only one from this region.

Project Mumbai is a 20-month-old not-for-profit and in the last hundred days, launched three mental health helplines, built a network of volunteers to provide groceries and medicines to vulnerable senior citizens and people with disabilities living alone.

It also contributed over 2 lakh PPE Kits to doctors, over ten thousand PPE kits and two lakh masks to the Mumbai Police and among its various initiatives provided cooked meals to 45 lakh citizens—homeless and migrants across Mumbai besides providing grocery kits to over 20,000 families.

Through this initiative, the UN SDG Action Campaign has recognized the most heart-warming and impactful initiatives undertaken and implemented in communities around the world to improve people’s lives, inspired resilience and lifted hopes, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the statement said.

Project Mumbai Founder Shishir Joshi said, “Project Mumbai is founded on the principles of volunteerism. Its support and outreach platform is built on a strong sense of ownership of our city, arising out of every volunteer-citizen’s ability to understand areas that directly affect people’s lives. Each initiative, ranging from mental health helplines and free delivery of essential supplies to grocery and medical support for senior citizens, have been powered by Project Mumbai’s hyper-local volunteer base.

According to United Nations SDG Action Campaign Global Director Marina Ponti, “In the midst of the global health crisis, we see strong examples of solidarity among people everywhere. We congratulate Project Mumbai for their solidarity and determination to improve others’ lives, inspire resilience and lift hopes in the face of this crisis.”

The selected initiatives have been announced by United Nations on a day dedicated to Solidarity within the High-Level Political Forum, to inspire people across the world to continue taking action for people and for the planet.

Mobis India Ltd — an established player in manufacturing high-quality automotive parts and accessories for Hyundai Motors in India — today donated Rs 3.50 crores through is CSR arm Mobis India Foundation for COVID-19 Relief. Of the total donation

Mobis India Ltd — an established player in manufacturing high-quality automotive parts and accessories for Hyundai Motors in India — today donated Rs 3.50 crores through is CSR arm Mobis India Foundation for COVID-19 Relief.

Of the total donation, the company has donated face masks and hand sanitizers worth Rs 3 crore through its NGO partner Oli, while the rest Rs 0.50 crore has been donated to the PM CARES Fund, Mobis India, Managing Director (AS Parts Division) Woosuk Leem said in a statement.

“These are very challenging times. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world to a standstill. There has been immense misery and a huge loss of human lives and worsened the plight of millions of people across the globe. At Mobis India, we are cognizant to this fact and have launched several measures to reach out and help the poor and needy,” he added.

JSW Paints has trained under a new initiative ‘Safe to Paint’ about 2,000 contractors from six states on safe painting practices to be followed at customers’ site in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The company said it empowered its contractor partners

JSW Paints has trained under a new initiative ‘Safe to Paint’ about 2,000 contractors from six states on safe painting practices to be followed at customers’ site in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The company said it empowered its contractor partners under the ‘Star Contractor Partners Program’ by conducting training modules on preparedness against COVID-19.

The company’s training programme clearly defines the precautions that one needs to take while completing painting jobs at a customer’s site.

The training module covers all precautions suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Government of India regarding hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene and sanitization.

“Over 2000 contractors were provided with safety and sanitization training across Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra and prepare them to provide safe painting services to consumers,” JSW Paints said.

Adapting to the new normal, contractors have enthusiastically taken the training on a video call. Post the training, these contractors give a test through dedicated call centre operatives and receive a digital certificate based on their performance, it said.

Talking about the new initiative, JSW Paints Managing Director and CEO A S Sundaresan said, “Consumers depend on contractors for painting safely! It is imperative to ensure safe painting practices in Consumer’s homes. We are training our Star Contractors as per WHO and Government of India guidelines.”

Through this initiative, the the company wants to make the contractor community aware about the importance of maintaining hygiene, adherence to safety practices and the sanitization necessary to ensure homes are safe, he added.

The company said that with economic activity steadily resuming post months of lockdown clamped to prevent spread of COVID-19 disease, adherence to safety practices by customer-facing partners such as painting contractors is crucial.

Bengaluru-based NGO Rise Against Hunger India (RAHI) today said it has served 2.5 million meals till date to these vulnerable groups in 38 districts spread across nine states. Out of this, nearly 85 per cent of the meals were provided to the migrant

Bengaluru-based NGO Rise Against Hunger India (RAHI) today said it has served 2.5 million meals till date to these vulnerable groups in 38 districts spread across nine states.

Out of this, nearly 85 per cent of the meals were provided to the migrant population comprising of daily wage workers, construction workers, contract laborers, street vendors who were the worst-hit due to COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown, it said in a statement.

Talking about the milestone achievement, RAHI Executive Director Dola Mohapatra said, “Over the last 4 months, our focus has widened to include more vulnerable groups under our meal distribution programme. The early stages of our COVID-19 response was concentrated on the metro cities focussing on the vulnerable community like labour, daily-wagers.”

However, over the past six weeks, RAHI has managed to reach out across 38 districts in nine states of India to cater to the migrants, who moved back to their villages, he said.

The nine states include Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, UP, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Delhi.

Stating that continued support will be required in the coming 4-6 months for these migrants who have been the worst-hit, Mohapatra said, “Hunger is the biggest enemy for these groups as of today and we need to work towards providing them ample provisions, so that they along with their families can have two decent meals per day.”

Due to spike in a number of cases, the uncertainty prevails over when workers will be able to get back to earn a stable income. “In these tough times, we need to support them,” he said.

He also appeal to all corporate groups, large business houses and other organisations who wish to contribute to come forward and help in providing basic food to these people and prevent them from succumbing to hunger.

Apart from food, RAHI is also planning to mobilize essentials like cooking oil, spices, masks etc. which can be utilized by these people.

With Unlock 2.0 in place and the whole country trying to adapt to the new normal, there is a dire need to handhold lakhs of migrant population who undertook the mass exodus from Tier-I cities to their villages. Despite the lockdown being lifted, these vulnerable groups have not been able to adapt to the new normal and restart their livelihood. They are still struggling to meet their basic needs of food.