Business Ethics & Philanthropy

When it comes to comply with corporate governance and CSR spending norms, the government feels there is a need for "little more nudging and prodding", according to a senior official. Under the Companies Act, 2013 -- which is implemented by the corporate affairs ministry -- there are strict norms for ensuring good corporate governance practices...

The focus of sustainability has moved away from just meeting the statutory obligations of CSR spending. Organisations are no longer only interested in meeting the legal regulations regarding contribution to CSR activities. Increasingly, companies have realised the importance of making a socio-environmental impact with their activities. It is evident in the fact that in...

In the true spirit of bringing cheer, which is really the cornerstone of Christmas celebrations, various corporates went out of their way to spread joy, especially amongst children. SMAAASH hosted a Christmas party for the children of Muskaan Foundation, a NGO dedicated to the people having multiple disabilities. Smiling faces were witnessed at the cannon shooting,...

Companies spent nearly 12 per cent more money at Rs 9,882 crore towards CSR works in 2015- 16, Union minister P P Chaudhary said as he appealed to companies to contribute more to such activities. He added that a host of government programmes, including Swachh Bharat Mission and Namami Gange, provide opportunities for corporates to...

Companies are quick to pledge efforts to push renewable energy but found wanting when it comes to making investments in clean energy initiatives under their corporate social responsibility (CSR) heads. According to a report by Mumbai-based consultancy Samhita, which analysed data reported by top 100 BSE-listed firms as per CSR spend, CSR investments in clean...

The Nasscom Foundation, at its flagship event, the CSR Leadership Conference (CLC), announced that the industry had widely accepted the 2% CSR rule with a trend of more companies coming out openly to declare 100%+ utilisation of their CSR money for 2016-17. This year the CLC went beyond discussing basic intervention areas, to talk about...

Any company in India with revenues more than Rs 1,000 crore has to compulsorily invest 2 percent of its profit on developmental activities, be it poverty eradication, gender, hunger or education. After trying to find loopholes in the law and figuring out ways of not ploughing...

Bengaluru recently witnessed its 10th Pride Parade ‘Namma Pride’, which literally translates to My Pride, on November 26th. Through this event, a crowd of 7000 people, predominantly coloured in rainbows, came onto the streets to profess their acceptance of people from the LGBTQIA community and to fight for their rights. With placards held high,...

In today’s world, youth unemployment is a considerable social tragedy, with one third of young people worldwide without access to education, training or a job of any kind. 40% of the world’s unemployed people are youth aged 15-24, according to the International Labor Organisation (ILO). Thyssenkrupp Elevator is partnering with SOS Children’s Villages to support...

The real scenario of India is that the populous unorganised sector lives as working poor. The   ‘unorganised’ sector, also termed the ‘informal’ sector constitutes the backbone of the enormous labour force of India. This sector of workers forms more than 90% of the country’s workforce and contributes to more than 50% of the national economy....

The social spend of public sector undertakings fell 10% in 2016-17 from a year ago, even as the total expenditure on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities by NSE-listed companies saw an increase of 5%, according to data from PRIME Database. The total social spend of 49 PSUs went down to Rs 2,630 crore from Rs...

Mumbai Police is set to establish a police foundation for the betterment of the force and the welfare of the police personnel. According to a Times of India report, CM Devendra Fadnavis-led home department of the Maharashtra government gave permission to the police commissioner Datta Padsalgikar to register the foundation as a public trust....