Punjab Will Have A CSR Advisory Board

Apart from Rajasthan, the latest news is that Punjab will have a CSR advisory board with the CM at the helm. In a bid to streamline various CSR activities and to create a neutral platform involving all the stakeholders, the Punjab Cabinet last week approved the constitution of Punjab Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Advisory Board under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister, as well as a CSR Authority under the Chief Secretary.

Disclosing this in Punjab, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Board and Authority would ensure systematic channelization of CSR funds into the most needed sectors and projects, according to the developmental priorities of the state.

The Board would be constituted under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister, with members including Health & Family Welfare Minister, Finance Minister, Industries and Commerce Minister, Chief Secretary, Administrative Secretary (Industries & Commerce, Administrative Secretary Finance, Director Industries and Commerce, besides maximum five representatives/experts from industry to be nominated by the chairman.

It has also been decided that the Board may co-opt any other Minister or officer, if necessary, as its members, with the Chief Minister authorised to take a decision in the matter. The Board would meet twice a year to review the CSR activities in the state, besides providing requisite guidance and advice to the Punjab CSR Authority for taking up appropriate CSR projects in the state.

The Punjab CSR Authority would consist of the Chief Secretary as its Chairman, with Administrative Secretaries (Industries & Commerce), Finance as its members, besides CEO as Member Secretary. The Chairman, CII Punjab Chapter, Chairman FICCI Punjab Chapter, Chairman PHD Chamber, Chairman ASSOCHAM Punjab Chapter and any other institution/individual as decided by the Authority/Government of Punjab would be invitees.

Meanwhile for Rajasthan, CSR fund will be set up in the state at the level of authority and infrastructural facilities will be created through the fund as per the priorities of the state. Suggestions will also be taken from industrial groups.