Sarbananda Sonowal launches New CSR guidelines ‘Sagar Samajik Sahayog’

Tags: Economy/Finance National News

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal, has introduced a set of new corporate social responsibility (CSR) guidelines called 'Sagar Samajik Sahayog' by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.

An overview of the news

• The purpose of these guidelines is to enable ports to effectively address local community issues in a collaborative and efficient manner.

CSR funding guidelines

• Under the new CSR guidelines, ports in India will allocate a specific percentage of their net annual profit towards CSR activities. 

• The allocation will be based on the turnover of each port for the year.

• Ports with an annual turnover of less than Rs 100 crores will allocate 3-5% of their net annual profit towards CSR initiatives.

• Ports with a turnover between Rs 100 to 500 crores will allocate 2-3% of their net annual profit for CSR activities.

• Ports with a turnover exceeding Rs 500 crores will allocate 0.5-2% of their net annual profit towards CSR initiatives.

• Additionally, two percent of the total CSR expenses will be dedicated to project monitoring by the ports. 

• This allocation ensures effective implementation and monitoring of the respective CSR projects undertaken by the ports.

• 20% of CSR expenses must be earmarked to Sainik Kalyan Board at district level, National Maritime Heritage Complex and National Youth Development Fund.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

• Under CSR, companies integrate social and environmental concerns with their business partners with their stakeholders.

• It is regulated under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.

• India is the first country in the world to make CSR mandatory.

• The provision of CSR is applicable to companies whose net worth is more than ₹ 500 crores or turnover is more than ₹ 1000 crores or net profit is more than ₹ 5 crores.

• Certain categories of profitable companies are required to spend at least two per cent of their annual average net profit for three years on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.

CSR Activities

• Promotion of education

• Gender equality and women empowerment

• Eradication of poverty and hunger

• Preparing to fight HIV and other diseases

• Ensuring environmental balance

• Improvement in infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate in the country.

• Contribution to Prime Minister's National Relief Fund

• Promoting sports, Slum area development etc.