Karnataka Government to formulate policy for mandating CSR Funds for Education

The Government of Karnataka is planning to formulate a policy as per which corporates operating within the state will have to direct their Corporate Social Responsibility funds to education. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar recently spoke about this while addressing corporate sector representatives at the 47th Annual General Meeting of the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC). According to the minister, the move will help address employment issues in the state.

Speaking at the AGM, the Deputy CM said, “Our aim is to address the issue of employment. We are planning a policy wherein corporates will be mandated to direct their CSR funds to education this year. We are also planning Karnataka model schools and urge corporates to come forward and adopt these schools. Jobs can be created only if there are job creators, which is industry.”

Karnataka Govt eager to boost Education with CSR funds

This is not the first time that the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister is urging corporates to donate CSR funds for education. In May this year, DK Shivakumar had expressed his desire to develop Government schools in the state with CSR support. While felicitating Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination toppers from government schools at his Bengaluru residence, Shivakumar has announced his plan to upgrade government schools utilising CSR funds instead of relying on funds from the state.

The deputy CM had at that time expressed that the state government is trying to implement a new education system. He had also spoken about his plans to provide international quality education to Govt School students in rural areas of Karnataka by developing infrastructure of these schools with CSR funds.

In November last year, speaking at the inauguration of the three-day long Bangalore Tech Summit, the Deputy Chief Minister had made an appeal to technology companies to invest their CSR funds for development of rural schools in Karnataka. “I have had discussions with several people including Rishad Premji of Wipro and they have committed to invest Rs 2000 crores to improve the quality of education in rural areas. While companies are strengthening the finances of the government, the companies also expect some incentives from the government. We have to work together,” Shivakumar had said at the event.

Karnataka CM seeks CSR funds for Kerala

Last week while the landslides were wreaking havoc in Kerala’s Wayanad, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made an appeal to the corporate sector to make Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions which will be used to support relief efforts in Kerala. The CM sought financial support, logistics for relief operations, and supplies, including non-perishable food items and clothing.

Last week, early on Tuesday two massive landslides hit Kerala, due to which Mundakkai and Chooramala areas under the Vellarimala village of the Meppadi Panchayat were swept away. On day 7 of the ongoing search operations, death toll has crossed 360 while 206 people are still missing from Mundakkai and Chooralmala as per official records.