CII hosts North East CSR Connect to boost Corporate Social Responsibility funding in the region

CSR contribution in North-Eastern India is almost negligible due to poor industrial development. Therefore, North-Eastern states are deprived from the social development and environmental conservation initiatives which are taken up by various companies through Corporate Social Responsibility.

With an aim to attract CSR funding towards North-Eastern India, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is hosting the North East CSR Connect on July 3rd and 4th in New Delhi. This event aims to bring together government, industry, and NGOs to collaborate on developing the North Eastern Region of India. CII has been working to raise awareness about the region’s potential and the importance of strategic investment there. The forum will showcase investment opportunities and areas where CSR intervention is most needed.

The event on its first day witnessed the participation of representatives from North-East State governments, Central Government, corporates and non-profit organisations.

Inaugurated by Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between the corporate sector and the northeast’s socio-economic development, through impactful initiatives undertaken in collaboration with the Government.

In his address, Dr Majumdar highlighted that the Rs 10,000 crore UNNATI scheme, which has been recently introduced for the North-East will attract investments into the region.

Engaged with entrepreneurs and explored investment ideas for #NorthEast🇮🇳 at CII’s North-East CSR Connect

Urging industries to seize this chance for regional growth.

Let’s work together to ensure #ViksitPurvottar🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/w3l5hobVt4

— Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) July 4, 2024

Chanchal Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region, asserted that there is a need to mobilise additional resources for the northeast region and that infusion of private funding is likely to hasten the development of the region.

What is UNNATI Scheme

The New Industrial Development Scheme, UNNATI (Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme), 2024 as a Central Sector Scheme for the development of Industries and generation of employment in the states of North East Region. The scheme’s main objective is to generate gainful employment, which will lead to the area’s overall socio-economic development. It will create productive economic activity in the manufacturing and service sectors.

In March this year, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade for Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme, 2024 (UNNATI – 2024) for a period of 10 years along with 8 years for committed liabilities at a total cost of Rs.10,037 crore.

The purpose is to boost industrial development in the region with emphasis on job creation, skill development, and sustainable development by attracting new investments and nurturing existing ones. However, to maintain a proper balance between the industrial growth and pristine environment of the NER, certain industries will be prioritised such as Renewable energy, EV charging stations etc and certain sectors which may hamper the environment such as cement, plastic etc. will be discouraged.