MoS Anurag Thakur urges Industries to spend CSR funds for Nation building

The Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur recently stated that the industry should not step back from spending its CSR fund as it would help in making India a better nation for the future generations. He also announced that the government has come up with a few reforms in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) law to de-criminalise some conditions and norms. .

He marked his presence at the 18th FICCI CSR Awards virtual presentation ceremony and conferred a few organizations with the FICCI CSR Awards. The minister has requested the industries to generate more awareness to keep a check on river pollution levels and back the government in its fight against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the rise in pollution levels of Yamuna and Ganga after the lockdown, Thakur stated that the industries are the major contributor of pollution.

“On one hand, we help the corporate so that they do not need to go through this pain of criminal sections, but on the other hand… If the companies are making millions, not only millions but billions out of India…why they do not want to spend that money on the Indians,” he said in a FICCI webinar about CSR.

“So that is why at times the government is forced to bring in such kind of sections into the CSR. So my request to all of you is that it is our responsibility towards our nation, towards our public, and I am sure all of you, who have contributed immensely, will contribute more and bring more people out of poverty and make India a better place for present and future generations,” he added.

“Start affluent treatment plants, do not throw waste into the rivers or fields. This is putting more burden on hospitals….it is not good for India,” Thakur added.