Union minister P.P. Chaudhary asks companies to spend 7% CSR funds towards Swachh Bharat Mission
Posted on: 19/Sep/2017 11:37:30 AM
The Union Minister of State for Law & Justice and Corporate Affairs P.P. Chaudhary has sought the full participation by the companies in ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ campaign of the Government of India. This campaign is starting from today and will continue till 2nd October, 2017.
The Minister Shri Chaudhary said since the inception of the CSR provision under the Companies Act,2013, the Companies have undertaken a wide range of outstanding initiatives for attaining equitable growth in the country. He said that it is now time that the Corporates/Companies start contributing immensely to Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) as part of their CSR efforts.
Shri Chaudhary further said that the Government has set-up the Swachh Bharat Kosh (SBK) to attract CSR funds from the Corporate Sector and contributions from individuals and philanthropists in response to the call given by the Prime Minister on 15th August, 2014.
In a letter to the heads of more than 11 lakh companies in operation and as a step towards making their contribution to SBM, the Minister of State Shri P.P. Chaudhary asked them to:
- Contribute around 7% of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending to Swachh Bharat Kosh (SBK) during ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ campaign,
- To direct their employees to go outside their corporate premises and undertake cleanliness drive in identified localities, and
- Sponsor billboards for Gram Panchayat(s) carrying the Swachhta message.
The Minister of State Shri P.P. Chaudhary said that with these efforts, he is hopeful that the unflinching support by the companies for the SBM will go a long way in creation of a clean India as envisaged by the Father of the Nation.
In a similar letter written to the Presidents of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) and Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICOAI), the Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, Shri P.P. Chaudhary has sought their cooperation and participation of their members and students in ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ campaign.
