Thecsrjournal App Store
Thecsrjournal Google Play Store
May 7, 2025
Home Blog Page 308

Budget 2024: India to Prepare Climate Finance Taxonomy

Budget 2024: India to Prepare Climate Finance Taxonomy
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced that the government would develop a ‘climate finance taxonomy’, in the “Next Generation Reforms” section of the Union Budget 2024-2025. “We will develop a taxonomy for climate finance to enhance the availability of capital for climate adaptation and mitigation. This will support the achievement of the country’s climate commitments and green transition,” the finance minister said in her speech.

What is the importance of the climate finance taxonomy?

With global temperatures rising, and increase in the adverse effects of climate change, there is a need for the countries to transition to a net-zero economy at the earliest. Taxonomies can play a significant role in doing this as they can help ascertain if economic activities are aligned with credible, science-based transition pathways. They can promote deployment of climate capital, and reduce the risks of greenwashing.
In India, a taxonomy could aid in bringing more climate funds from various international sources. Currently, green finance flows in India are falling far short of the country’s current needs. In fact, they only account for around 3% of total FDI inflows to India, according to the Landscape of Green Finance in India 2022 report, published by Climate Policy Initiative.
One of the major reasons for low green finance flows has been a lack of clarity in what constitutes sustainable activity. A taxonomy would change that.
India is not the first country to make a move to create climate finance taxonomy. Many countries have either started to work on their taxonomy or have already finalised one. South Africa, Colombia, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Canada, and Mexico are some of the countries which have developed taxonomies, along with the European Union.
India aims to achieve net-zero economy by 2070. It has also pledged to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030, from the 2005 level. India has committed to achieve about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030 as well. The climate finance taxonomy will help in streamlining the efforts to achieve these targets at a rapid pace.

CSR: SATO partners with Supreme Industries to drive access to affordable sanitation and hygiene solutions across India

SATO, the award-winning social business part of LIXIL and a global leader in innovative sanitation and hygiene solutions, is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with Supreme Industries, the largest plastics processor in the nation, providing a diverse and comprehensive range of plastic products.
Under this partnership, Supreme Industries will leverage its extensive market penetration and gold standard production prowess to manufacture and distribute SATO’s award-winning hygiene and sanitation solutions, widening the availability of safe and affordable sanitation products across across India.
Mr. Suguru Sakata – Leader Asia, SATO, stated, “This partnership marks a significant step towards achieving our purpose of providing accessible and affordable sanitation solutions to people across India. Supreme Industries’ manufacturing expertise aligns seamlessly with our commitment to innovation and consumer-centric focus, ensuring that our award-winning products reach even more households.”
Mr. MP Taparia, Managing Director, The Supreme Industries Ltd., expressed enthusiasm, saying, “We are proud to join hands with SATO, part of LIXIL, to address the pressing need for safe and affordable sanitation. For more than four decades, we have been working relentlessly and have pioneered a wide range of efficient, compact, and user-friendly products to promote hygiene and improve the quality of sanitation across the country. Now, this collaboration will allow us to expand our product range, business and bring a positive change by scaling up production and distribution efforts”.
The full SATO range of products will be available at the Supreme distributors from the end of August.
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

How Adani Foundation is transforming lives of school children in Rajasthan

How Adani Foundation is transforming lives of school children in Rajasthan
The literacy rate in Rajasthan, one of the largest states in India, is lower than the national average of 74%, according to the 2011 Census data. The state’s literacy rate stands at 66%. Jaisalmer, a popular tourist destination in west Rajasthan, has a literacy rate of around 46.
For years, government schools in Jaisalmer have been struggling with low student enrollment rate, high dropout rate, lack of infrastructure and shortage of trained teachers.
In its effort to encourage children to go to schools regularly, the Adani Foundation has taken up several initiatives to help improve school infrastructure. In 2023-24, the Foundation provided clean drinking water and sanitation facilities in schools.

Ensuring transport for students

To provide education to underprivileged children from remote areas, the Government of Rajasthan had started Mahatma Gandhi English Medium Schools. One such educational institution is in Bhaniyana village. But children from far-flung areas find the regular commute difficult resulting in irregular attendance and dropouts. The Adani Foundation donated a 32-seater school bus to Bhaniyana village so that students could go to school safely. The school manages the bus operations and according to residents, the vehicle has been a huge help.

School building repair

At Tamachi Ram Ki Dhani in Rewari gram panchayat, the school building needed urgent repairs. It had seepage problems and clean drinking water was not available for the students. The Adani Foundation repaired the school building, installed tap connections and beautified the premises.

Construction of toilets

In Nidhaan and Madasar villages, toilets in most government schools are in a dilapidated condition. Around 250 children study in the Nidhaan school and the Adani Foundation has built toilets for girls and set up with tap water facilities.

Ensuring safe drinking water

The Foundation has also installed RO water purifiers and water coolers for students. Overhead tanks have been installed to ensure regular supply of drinking water. A 1 HP motor pump has been installed, along with hand pump, to fill up the water tank from borewell through a motor pump. Handwash stations have also been set up to promote hygiene among children.

Preventing children from heat

In western Rajasthan, temperature during the summer months often goes beyond 50 degrees Celsius. To protect school children from extreme heat, the Foundation has set up tin sheds in Keraliya and Satasar villages of Pokhran tehsil. In Keraliya village, tin shed has benefited more than 155 students. Similarly, in Satasar village, a 20 feet X 40 feet tin shed has been put in place providing relief to around 35 enrolled students.

अदाणी फाउंडेशन के सीएसआर से बदल रही है स्कूलों की तस्वीर

अदाणी फाउंडेशन के सीएसआर से बदल रही है स्कूलों की तस्वीर

Wellness Centre inaugurated at Nagar Palika Balika Inter College in Chanderpuri, Ghaziabad

Wellness Centre inaugurated at Nagar Palika Balika Inter College in Chanderpuri, Ghaziabad
Delhi & NCR, India: The Hans Foundation inaugurated a new Wellness Centre under its initiative, Hans Wellness Centers for Schools, at Nagar Palika Balika Inter College in Chanderpuri, Ghaziabad. The newly launched Wellness Centre aims to provide free health services to over 2,000 students enrolled at the inter-college. The inauguration was carried out by the esteemed Mr. Shrichand Sharma, Member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, and the distinguished guest Shri Sunil Kumar Bhadana, State President of the Government Teachers Association, Uttar Pradesh. On this occasion, Chief Guest Mr. Shrichand Sharma interacted with the doctors and counselors appointed at the wellness center and inspected their work processes.
Established in 2009, The Hans Foundation (THF) is a public charitable trust that works for the health and welfare of children, women, persons with disabilities, and the underprivileged. Aiming to create an equitable society, THF focuses on the overall educational and livelihood development of communities. The Hans Foundation initiated Hans Wellness Centers for Schools in October 2022, in collaboration with aided schools, NGO-managed institutions, and low-income private schools across Delhi NCR. Currently operational in 24 schools, the project offers high-quality primary physical and mental healthcare services including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, free of cost. The initiative plans to expand further, integrating health and education to enhance student well-being.
“I am pleased to commend the collaborative efforts between The Hans Foundation and Nagar Palika Balika Inter College. The launch of the Hans Wellness Centre is a crucial step towards the timely identification and management of health issues among our students. It is imperative that we address these concerns early to ensure a healthy future for our children. Additionally, I encourage our students to embrace and honor Indian culture and to harness their potential in service of our nation. By combining health and education, we are empowering our youth to contribute meaningfully to society,” said Mr. Shrichand Sharma, Member of Legislative Assembly, Uttar Pradesh.
“The Hans Wellness Centers for Schools represents our commitment to not only improving the health of students but also fostering an environment where education and well-being go hand in hand. This initiative is a crucial step towards ensuring that every child has access to quality healthcare services within their learning environment. We are dedicated to expanding this project and continuing our efforts to support student health across more schools in Ghaziabad and beyond,” said Mr. Devesh Ahluwalia, Senior Group Manager Programme, The Hans Foundation.
“Counseling plays a pivotal role in addressing both the physical and mental health needs of our students, particularly for girls who face unique challenges. I commend the partnership between Nagar Palika Balika Inter College and The Hans Foundation for their exceptional efforts in this regard. This project not only aligns with the National Education Policy but also highlights the critical need for mental health services within our schools. The inspiring and patriotic cultural programs presented by the students today further exemplify the vibrant spirit of our youth, and I am confident that this initiative will significantly benefit their overall well-being,” said Shri Sunil Kumar Bhadana, Distinguished Guest.
The event was attended by Shri Rajeev Sharma, Local Councilor and former Vice President of the Executive Committee of Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation and Shri Thakur Ankur Kushwaha, District President of Youth Wing BJP Meerut as distinguished guests.
At the end of the program, the school principal, Dr. Antima Chaudhary, expressed gratitude to the guests and The Hans Foundation team. She highlighted her vision of providing continuous high-quality education while incorporating innovative projects like the Hans Wellness Centers for Schools. Dr. Chaudhary said, “We are deeply grateful to The Hans Foundation for bringing this invaluable service to our school. The Wellness Center will play a crucial role in supporting the health and well-being of our students, enabling them to excel both academically and personally. This partnership marks the beginning of a new chapter in our commitment to holistic education.”

 

 

Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

 

 

Social impact initiative ‘Project One Tree’ launched, President extends support

New Delhi, India: In a decisive step towards fostering environmental sustainability and positive social impact, News18 Network has launched ‘Project One Tree,’ a mass movement to encourage and mobilise every Indian to plant a tree for a greener, sustainable and breathable tomorrow. Inspired by PM Modi’s tree plantation on ‘Ek Ped, Ma ke Naam’ on the World Environment Day, Project One Tree is a quest to champion and motivate all Indians to take a small action but drive a big impact, plant one tree and remember to nurture it.
The launch was marked by a special message from the President of India, Draupadi Murmu. She spoke about the significance of championing ‘Project One Tree’ to combat environmental challenges. President Murmu shared her vision on fostering a greener and more sustainable future, inviting everyone to contribute towards the noble cause.
“Planting trees is a simple yet profoundly impactful step that each one of us can take to secure a healthier planet for future generations,” the President stated.
As part of the launch, News18 Network’s editors participated in a tree plantation activity, symbolizing their dedication to the environment. A snippet of the same was unveiled as part of the special broadcast across all national, business and regional channels of the Network.
To further strengthen the initiative, a dedicated microsite has been launched, which provides detailed information on ‘Project One Tree.’ This platform will serve as a hub for educational content, partnership opportunities, and updates on the project’s progress.
Since the launch, ‘Project One Tree’ has garnered widespread support from key government leaders such as G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister, Coal and Mines, Yogi Adityanath, CM, Uttar Pradesh, Eknath Shinde, CM, Maharashtra, Bhupendra Patel, CM, Gujarat, Dr Mohan Yadav, CM, Madhya Pradesh, Pushkar Singh Dhami, CM, Uttarakhand, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, CM, Himachal Pradesh, Brajesh Pathak, Deputy CM, Uttar Pradesh, Mukesh Agnihotri, Deputy CM, Himachal Pradesh, Brigadier Dr B.D Mishra, Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh.
Celebrities such as Meet Bros, Adivi Sesh, Sudhanshu Pandey and Aamir Ali also have applauded the initiative and pledged their support towards the cause of planting and nurturing trees.
The initiative has also been supported by notable names from India Inc, such as Rajiv Bajaj, CEO, Bajaj Auto and Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes Benz, India, recognising its potential for positive social impact.
India has lost 2.3 million hectares of tree cover in the last 23 years. The impact of which has been visible through intense heat waves, deficient rainfall in June in almost half of the country and a 35% increase in flash floods since 2019. Climate change is now affecting everyone’s lives more than ever before.
‘Project One Tree’ seeks to galvanize collective action to help repair the damage caused to the planet. The movement will be activated through educating the masses using diverse content formats across the News18 Network. In addition, the network will engage with key stakeholders including NGOs, ministries, and government entities to spread awareness.
The initiative will be guided by an esteemed advisory panel featuring prominent environmentalists and experts who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience. Among them include Founder of GiveMeTrees, Swami Prem Parivartan, popularly known as Peepal Baba, Apurva Bhandari, Founder of SankalpTaru, Director General of TERI, Vibha Dhawan and Dr. Erach Bharucha, Director of Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Environment Education & Research.
In the spirit of fostering community involvement and environmental sustainability, the initiative launched its maiden plantation drive on July 21, 2024 in Noida where News18 Network’s team and people from all walks of life came together, with a common goal – to plant and nurture trees.
Some key guests at the plantation included, Colonel VN Thapar, Father of Capt Vijyant Thapar, Rakesh Khatri, Nest Man of India and Anand Mohan Singh, Deputy Director, Horticulture, NOIDA Authority. They shared nuggets of wisdom around the environment and the role each one of us needs to play for the collective well-being of human beings and mother earth.
The initiative further aims to have similar plantation drives across different parts of the country, encouraging every Indian to plant trees, nurture them and drive the large change.

 

 

 

Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

 

 

How the Healthcare Sector benefits from Union Budget 2024

The Union Budget 2024 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday has made significant allocations for India’s healthcare sector. Union Health Ministry has been allocated Rs 90,958.63 crore for the FY 2024-25, which marks a notable increase from Rs 80,517.62 crore in the 2023-2024 revised Budget.
While the government has allocated Rs 87,656.90 crore to the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Rs 3,301.73 has been kept for the Department of Health Research, as announced in the Union Budget on Tuesday. The budget allocation for the Ministry of AYUSH has gone up from Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 3,712.49 crore.
Apart from this, three cancer drugs have been exempted from Basic Customs Duty (BCD), which is significant at a time when India stands as the ‘Cancer Capital of the World’.

Allocations for National Health Mission and others

The budget expenditure for FY 2024-25 under the National Health Mission (NHM) has also been increased by approx. Rs 4000 crore from Rs 31,550 crore to Rs 36000 crore. National Health Mission is a Central Government Scheme which primarily caters to the Primary and Secondary Healthcare service delivery.
The Centre’s flagship scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has got an allocation of Rs 7,300 crore extending coverage to ASHA, Anganwadi workers, and helpers across the country.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has been allocated Rs 2,732.13 crore. National Tele Mental Health Programme ‘Tele MANAS’ has been allocated Rs 90 crore. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, has been allocated Rs 4,523 crore.

Three Cancer Medicines exempted from Customs Duty

Three cancer medicines namely Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib, and Durvalumab have been exempted from Basic Customs Duty in the Union Budget 2024-25 presented in the Parliament. The request was forwarded by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to the Ministry of Finance in view of the 27 lakh cancer patients in the country.
breast cancer
The three cancer drugs namely Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib and Durvalumab are used for different tumor types. While Trastuzumab Deruxtecan is used for Breast Cancer treatment, Osimertinib is the medicine used for Lung Cancer and Durvalumab caters to Lung Cancer and Biliary Tract Cancer.
This is a welcome move as people battling cancer and their families have to incur huge expenditure for treatment, which is not affordable for all. While many people run out of their savings, they have to take hefty loans to pay hospital bills.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ahead of presenting the Union Budget 2024

Benefits to X-ray machine industry

The Union Finance Minister in yesterday’s budget also revised the custom duty rates on X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors. These revised rates are expected to positively impact the X-ray machine industry by enhancing component availability at lower costs. This change is anticipated to boost the domestic medical device sector, contribute to component availability at lower costs and reduced healthcare costs, making advanced medical imaging more accessible and affordable.

New Medical College in Bihar

While presenting the Union Budget 2024-25, the Finance Minister announced allocations made for new airports, medical colleges and sports infrastructure in the state of Bihar.

CSR: SNEHA NGO partners with Maharashtra government to launch Child Protection Committee in Mumbai

Select CSR: SNEHA NGO partners with Maharashtra government to launch Child Protection Committee in Mumbai CSR: SNEHA NGO partners with Maharashtra government to launch Child Protection Committee in Mumbai
Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action (SNEHA) along with the District Women and Child Development Office and 2 other NGOs recently launched a Ward Level Child Protection Committee (WLCPC) in Mumbai. Located in Ward No. 135 of Mumbai i.e. M-East Ward, the committee will be covering the communities of Indira Nagar and Janta Nagar in Mandala, Mankhurd. The committee has been formed in collaboration with the District Child Protection Unit under the guidance of the District Women and Child Development Officer, Mumbai Suburban District. The NGO and the Maharashtra government are also planning to replicate this model across all 15 wards in Mumbai in the coming years.
The new committee was launched in the presence of District Child Protection Officer (DCPO), Ms. Meera Gudile, CDPO, Mr Haribhau Hake, District Women and Child Development Officer Mr. Sharad Kurhade from the District Women and Child Development Office as well as Dr. Nayreen Daruwalla, Programme Director, SNEHA. All dignitaries are a part of this committee that aims to function as a cooperative forum bringing together governmental and non-governmental entities. Aligning with the Government of Maharashtra Resolution (2014), the Child Protection Committee (CPC) will enhance child safety and well-being by setting clear objectives. This includes preventing abuse, ensuring timely interventions, and fostering a supportive ecosystem for children in need within the community.
Speaking on the launch, Dr. Daruwalla said, “The overarching goal of the committee is to secure freedom from violence for children residing in urban settlements. We would like to emphasize on the critical need to create safe environments where children can thrive and grow without fear or threat.”
Smita Sequeira, Associate Programme Director, Prevention of Violence against Children, SNEHA and one of the leaders spearheading this movement for ward-level committees said, “Currently, there are several factors leading to violence against children. This includes different forms of disciplining practices and cultural norms in relation to overt and covert forms of violence against children.  We are striving to improve parent-child communications and tracking progress towards mitigating violence. Through this committee, we would like to strategize and enhance the overall safety and protection of vulnerable children in urban informal settings.”
Some of the committee objectives includes the following:
– To introduce Baal Sansad cabinet members to the WLCPC members and enhance child participation in the committee’s activities
– To instill accountability among authorities for prioritizing children’s welfare and implementing effective interventions
– To develop and implement strategies to enhance support for CPCs at the ward level
– To emphasize child protection as a collective responsibility requiring combined action from all stakeholders
For the initial action points, the new committee will work towards sustainable solutions for children in Ward No. 135 to address issues such as substance abuse, lack of gardens and playgrounds as well as child safety and protection issues.
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

Budget 2024: Companies To Use CSR For 10% Of Internship Costs

Budget 2024: Companies To Use CSR For 10% Of Internship Costs
Companies will now be required to use their CSR funds to cover 10 per cent of internship costs, as announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her budget speech on July 23, 2024.
The initiative is aimed at creating opportunities for one crore youth in the top 500 companies over the next five years. As part of the scheme, interns will receive a monthly allowance of Rs 5,000 and a one-time assistance of Rs 6,000.
CSR in India is mandatory governed by Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, along with Schedule VII of the Act and the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014. These regulations define the criteria for CSR eligibility and set out requirements for implementing and reporting CSR activities.
According to the Section 135(1) of the Companies Act, 2013, and the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014, a company must comply with CSR provisions , if it meets any of the following criteria in the immediately preceding financial year:
– Net worth of Rs 500 crore or more,
– Turnover of Rs 1,000 crore or more, or
– Net profit of Rs 5 crore or more
Companies required to comply with CSR provisions must spend 2% of their average net profits from the previous three years on CSR activities, as stipulated by the CSR policy.

Importance of Internships

Internships are crucial for bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world applications. There are several companies that expect the candidates that apply for jobs to have some practical work experience. This expectation stands true even for freshers. While the freshers may not have experience of working on a professional level, they are required to understand the roles and responsibilities of the job thoroughly, which is impossible without having worked. Internships provide a platform to these individuals in gaining this experience.
It has been observed that freshers with internship experiences make more desirable candidates for jobs.
One of the biggest strength of India is its demographic dividend. India exports millions of people across the world to be part of global workforce. Such individuals, even with good education find it difficult to secure a job in other countries over a lack of work experience, and have to settle for low paying jobs. This often change or slow their career trajectory. This initiative will help in addressing this issue by improving the employability prospects of Indian youth, not just in India, but also across the globe.

CSR Initiative to illuminate 100+ forest villages in Uttar Pradesh fostering safety and rural development

CSR Initiative to illuminate 100+ forest villages in Uttar Pradesh fostering safety and rural development
Further to the #BrighterLivesBetterWorld vision Signify, the world leader in lighting, exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BharatCares, in the presence of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest/Chief Wildlife Warden, Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of Uttar Pradesh, to illuminate 100+ rural and forest villages in Uttar Pradesh with energy-efficient LED streetlights.
The project is aimed at enhancing the quality of life in these villages, reducing human-wildlife conflict, increasing rural development, extending time for livelihood activities, and improving safety for women and children. The role of the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh will be instrumental in this initiative for identifying the villages, providing the necessary support on the ground and overall collaboration to drive this initiative across these forest villages for a better tomorrow.
We are extremely proud to launch this initiative with Uttar Pradesh’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department and BharatCares, focused on addressing the concerns beyond illumination by lighting up the forest fringe villages in Uttar Pradesh. By empowering these communities with the power of light, we aim to bring safety and create a lasting impact on the villages. This project is yet another great example of our relentless efforts towards a better tomorrow for everyone,” said Nikhil Gupta, Head of CSR, Government Affairs, Marketing & Strategy at Signify.
Bhomik Shah, Managing Trustee, BharatCares added, “Access to reliable lighting is fundamental to socio-economic progress, especially in underserved regions. Our collaboration with Signify under the ‘Har Gaon Roshan’ initiative reflects our shared commitment to driving positive change through sustainable solutions.
MoU exchanged in the presence of Sh. Sanjay Srivastava, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest/Chief Wildlife Warden, Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Mr Rakesh Kumar Singh, CSR Lead, Signify and Mr. Manoviraj Singh, Vice President, CSR & Government Practice, CSRBOX.
By bringing the transformative power of light to these 100+ villages, this initiative is dedicated to improving the lives of thousands of people and contributing to a brighter and more sustainable future for rural Uttar Pradesh.
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

Hindi Manch

Editor's Pick