The Tata Trusts board has given the green light to philanthropic projects worth over ₹1,100 crore even as differences between trustees on governance and transparency remain unresolved. Meeting at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in south Mumbai on Friday, the board decided to go ahead with major initiatives such as tribal welfare, specialty healthcare facilities, and a ₹700-crore centre for diabetes research near Delhi.

The meeting marked an unusual departure from the Trusts’ regular practice of assembling at their World Trade Centre office. The venue shift, sources said, was not linked to the internal differences but to logistical convenience. Apart from chairman Noel Tata, trustees Venu Srinivasan, Mehli Mistry, and Pramit Jhaveri attended in person, while Vijay Singh and Jehangir Jehangir joined virtually. Darius Khambata was the only trustee absent. The meeting lasted nearly six hours and was described by those present as smooth, with no discussion on Tata Sons-related matters.

Big Philanthropy in the Pipeline

The board’s clearances included diverse projects aimed at societal impact. Among them is a massive ₹700-crore plan to set up a diabetes research centre in the Delhi region, a move expected to significantly boost scientific work in tackling one of India’s most pressing health issues. Specialty hospitals in Maharashtra also received approval, aimed at improving access to advanced healthcare facilities for underserved communities.

Tribal upliftment programmes were another focal point, with plans to invest in initiatives bringing education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities to marginalised populations. These projects reinforce the Trusts’ long-standing role as a leading philanthropic body in India. Sources close to the meeting said the approvals were given in principle, with implementation details to be worked out in the coming months.

Governance Frictions Continue

Friday’s meeting came in the shadow of growing governance challenges within Tata Trusts. Some trustees have reportedly sought the Union government’s intervention to mediate between differing factions on the board. The tensions have been simmering since Noel Tata took over as chairman in October 2024. Matters intensified during the September board meeting when most trustees opposed vice-chairman Vijay Singh’s continuation as a nominee director on Tata Sons’ board.

Trustees who are not part of the Tata Sons board have alleged that the Trusts’ nominee directors – currently Noel Tata and Venu Srinivasan – do not provide them with complete updates, especially on matters under Article 121, which limits their ability to take informed decisions. This concern has been central to the unrest, with calls for more transparency in communication between nominee directors and the rest of the board.

September Meeting Fallout

The September meeting’s minutes show that Mehli Mistry had requested Vijay Singh’s presence during the review of nominee directors above 75 years of age on Tata Sons’ board. Singh declined, stating he did not want to be present when his own directorship was under review. Trustee Darius Khambata emphasised the review was not targeted at Singh but related to broader existential questions for the Tata Group.

Khambata pointed to a “critical time” for the conglomerate, citing concerns over listing and the measures needed to prepare for such a transition. Both Noel Tata and Venu Srinivasan opposed Singh’s removal and also resisted a proposal to appoint Mistry to the Tata Sons board. These differences remain unresolved but were kept off the table during Friday’s meeting, allowing philanthropic approvals to progress without disruption.

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