Corp sector must provide renewed impetus to CSR initiatives: Prez

President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday said the corporate sector must provide renewed impetus to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives towards cleanliness, health and education.

Mukherjee stressed on inclusive growth calls for intensive collaborative efforts of the government and corporate sector to provide basics for improving the quality of life in rural and urban areas. “The corporate sector must provide renewed impetus to CSR initiatives towards cleanliness, health and education,” he said while addressing the inaugural session of the National Summit on CSR on the theme ‘Boardroom and Beyond’ organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). Mukherjee said the CSR provision in the Companies Act, 2013, will help unlock a substantial amount - estimated to be Rs 8,000-20,000 crore - for social engagement of Indian companies.

“A structured development strategy is now required to ensure that these funds are efficiently deployed in areas most beneficial to society,” he said.