Chandigarh, November 13- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal told the representatives of corporate companies today that they can spend CSR funds anywhere for the society but it would be better if they put that money together with the Government, for certain significant results. The Government knows the priorities, this will improve the infrastructure in the State at an accelerated pace.
The Chief Minister said this while addressing a programme organized by Haryana State CSR Trust in Gurugram today where more than 75 corporate leaders from Gurugram and adjoining areas were invited to attend the event. Haryana State CSR Trust has been formed under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, in which there are four trustees. These include Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, Sh. T.V.S.N. Prasad, Vice President, Sh. Bodhraj Sikri, Director General, Swarna Jayanti Haryana Institute of Fiscal Management.
While addressing the Corporate Leaders present in the programme, the Chief Minister said that it is mandatory for corporate companies to spend at least two percent of their profits as part of their social responsibility. There are about 15 -16 different heads where you can spend this amount.
The Chief Minister said that you can spend this money on works related to health, beautification, education etc. anywhere for the society, but it is better that you invest this money in collaboration with the government because the government knows the priorities for the development work. He assured transparency and accountability in spending this fund and said that every penny spent would be accounted for.
He said that there is a need of team work in the State by mapping various works on the basis of needs and priorities. The responsibility for development of the society is on all of us. It is part of our culture since ancient times. Earlier it was said that 'Dashans' means we will take out 10th part of our earnings for the society. Gradually this amount has come down to 2 percent. He said that the spirit of charity is still there in the society, so why not implement it together with the Government.
He said that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi has given the slogan of 'Sabka Saath - Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas'. This means that all of us will make collective efforts together only then the dream of taking the country to greater heights will be fulfilled.
The Chief Minister said that there are still many such places in the society where facilities are lacking. This is a matter of contemplation for all of us. The Chief Minister said, 'Let's light the lamp there, where it is still dark, Though the darkness is thick, but where is it forbidden to light the lamp'.
Along these lines, all the corporate leaders were called upon to light the lamp together and drive away the darkness.
He gave the message of working with the spirit of Antyodaya and said that we all should work with the feeling that this society is mine and I belong to the society.
Earlier, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, Sh. T.V.S.N. Prasad gave detailed information about the Haryana CSR Trust and said that from the year 2014-15 till now, the amount spent under CSR in the State has increased almost 3 times. While Rs. 187 crore was spent on various projects under CSR in 2014, an amount of Rs. 518 crore has been spent till the year-2020. It includes rural development, heritage, sanitation, education etc.
He said that there is still a lot of scope to be spent on health. He also added that 64 PSA oxygen plants have been installed from CSR in Gurugram area at the time of Covid-19. He said that the companies gave a lot of support during the sensitive time of Covid pandemic. Sh. Prasad said that if companies will invest CSR funds in collaboration with the Government, then it will get better results.
Before the programme, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the Pediatric Ward set up by Renew Power Company with its CSR in the Polyclinic, Sector-31 of Gurugram and the keys of Advanced Life Support Ambulance given by SBI Bank from CSR funds were handed over to Civil Surgeon of Gurugram, Dr. Virendra Yadav.
Along with this, he also flagged off a mobile clinic for the prevention of TB disease provided by a company named RITES under CSR, which will be run in collaboration with Medanta the Medicity.
Besides this, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of the second phase of Smart Village School at village Daula. The total cost of this project will be Rs. 3.60 crore, out of which work of about Rs. 3 crore has been completed in the first phase and the work of the second phase will be completed in the next two months.
On this occasion, CEO, GMDA, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Dr. Naresh Trehan of Medanta the Medicity, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister, Sh. Amit Arya, Sh. Pawan Choudhary from Invest India, Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Yash Garg, Police Commissioner, Sh. KK Rao were also present on the occasion.