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CSR - Source MBA Rendezvous

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has a long history in India, with companies like Tata Group and Aditya Birla Group engaging in community programs since their inception. More recently, initiatives like Reliance Industries' "Project Drishti" have restored eyesight for over 5,000 visually impaired people. Both private and public sector companies undertake rural development, health, education, and other programs. While motivations include tax benefits, companies now approach CSR strategically through dedicated teams and budgets, recognizing it as integral to their brand reputation and building sustainable relationships.

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Sona Dutta
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64 views

CSR - Source MBA Rendezvous

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has a long history in India, with companies like Tata Group and Aditya Birla Group engaging in community programs since their inception. More recently, initiatives like Reliance Industries' "Project Drishti" have restored eyesight for over 5,000 visually impaired people. Both private and public sector companies undertake rural development, health, education, and other programs. While motivations include tax benefits, companies now approach CSR strategically through dedicated teams and budgets, recognizing it as integral to their brand reputation and building sustainable relationships.

Uploaded by

Sona Dutta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Over the past decades, there have been increasing concerns from the public that many
businesses have little concern for the consumer, care nothing about the deteriorating
social order, and are indifferent to the problems of the environment and minorities. But
with the passage of time these doubts seems to be vanishing as corporate sector has
shown its concern towards the weaker section of the society and has also helped them out
in various ways.

CSR is not a new concept in India. Corporates like the Tata Group, the Aditya Birla
Group, and Indian Oil Corporation, to name a few, have been involved in serving the
community ever since their inception. Many other organizations too have been doing
their part for the society.

Four years ago, Reliance Industries Ltd. launched a countrywide initiative known as
“Project Drishti”, to restore the eye-sights of visually challenged Indians from the
economically weaker sections of the society. This project, started by one of India’s
corporate giants has brightened up the lives of over 5000 people so far. Role of Tata
Steels can’t be ignored while discussing about CSR. Tata Steel promotes and encourages
economic, social and educational development within its communities while also giving
active support to local initiatives. Its mammoth social outreach program covers the
company-managed city of Jamshedpur and over 800 villages around it through upliftment
initiatives in the areas of income generation, health and medical care, education, sports,
and relief.
 
Similar commitment to CSR has been displayed by several other corporates in India. The
list, which at best can be far from complete, includes Arvind Mills, Escorts, Dabur, Bajaj,
Godrej, Hero Honda, DCM Sriram, Ashok Leyland, Ballarpur Industries, Eicher, Kinetic
Group, Kirloskar, Infosys, Ranbaxy, Wipro, each of which has been deeply committed to
their communities engaging in programs encompassing education, health, education,
integrated rural development.
 
Beyond the private sector, corporate players in India’s public sector too have been
actively involved in corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Most public sector units in the heavy engineering industry have not only set up a
township around the plant, but also established schools, hospitals and several other civic
facilities for its employees and those who live in that area.
 
Private sector companies have been encouraged to undertake rural development programs
down the years through fiscal incentives by the government. For instance, special benefits
are offered in the industrial policy to those companies who set up industries in backward
areas and tax exemptions are also offered to companies supporting the weaker sections of
society.
 
Of course, with the intense spotlight on the subject, the interest in corporate social
responsibility is spreading throughout the country. In the Corporate Social Responsibility
Survey–India, reveals that this interest is growing as more and more companies in India
are keen to project themselves as good corporate citizens. This was the most important
factor driving CSR in India, according to the survey. CSR initiatives are inextricably
linked with improved brand reputation.
 
CSR has become increasingly prominent in the Indian corporate scenario because
organizations have realized that besides growing their businesses it is also vital to build
trustworthy and sustainable relationships with the community at large. Another reason
fuelling this rapid adoption of CSR is the state of the Indian society. Though India is one
of the fastest growing economies, socio-economic problems like poverty, illiteracy, lack
of healthcare etc. are still ubiquitous and the government has limited resources to tackle
these challenges. This scenario has opened up several areas for businesses to contribute
towards social development.
 
What so ever might be the reason, today, CSR in India has gone beyond merely charity
and donations, and is approached in a more organized fashion. It has become an integral
part of the corporate strategy. Companies have CSR teams that devise specific policies,
strategies and goals for their CSR programs and set aside budgets to support them which
is indeed a good sign towards development of the society.
 
Indeed, CSR has come a long way in India. From responsive activities to sustainable
initiatives, corporates have clearly exhibited their ability to make a significant difference
in the society and improve the overall quality of life. In the current social situation in
India, it is difficult for one single entity to bring about change, as the scale is enormous.
Corporates have the expertise, strategic thinking, manpower and money to facilitate
extensive social change. Effective partnerships between corporates, NGOs and the
government will place India’s social development on a faster track.

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