Cement, Energy and Environment

· The pivotal role of MoEF in embedding CSR in company business licensing process was visible. · To work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining related opera ons, Ministry of Mines does amendment in Mines & Mineral Development & Regula on (1957) in 2015, which created Na onal Mineral Explora on Trust (NMET) and District Mineral Founda on Trust (DMFT). The statutory direc ves have mandated certain aspects of CSR like spending, etc. while providing some flexibility in areas like choice of ini a ves. However, the government's approach is restricted in its outlook and does not explore the true poten al that public private partnership can achieve through CSR. Few sugges ons are given in this regard - · There is a need to streamline regula ons in a manner, which creates an encouraging environment and makes it easier for the private sector to invest in sectors that the government views as needing maximum a en on like educa on, health, environment friendly technologies, etc. Currently, major issues that the government deems important have been provided as a list of ten priority CSR areas in Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013. However, one of the reasons CSR ini a ves of organiza ons have failed to be as produc ve as possible is because companies support generic CSR ac vi es rather than those, which align effec vely with the firm's strategy. Overcoming the poten al pi alls of adop ng generic ini a ves, while ensuring diversion of funds to more challenging issues, may require greater interac on between the different stakeholders in the CSR process. · Governmental policies on social responsibility have not clearly stated how these policies will impact issues like inclusive and sustainable growth. A more comprehensive and well thought out plan is needed that envisages the implica ons for the future. Author felt that the current provisions focused on spending the requisite amount of money and conveying that to stakeholders but did not necessarily address how profit was made in the first place. Thus, policies need to send a more posi ve signal, which can lead to voluntary adop on of a CSR agenda that provides be er opportuni es for growth for all sec ons. · Awareness genera on programs, about the type of economic and environmental challenges India faces, will help the masses par cipate more effec vely in CSR programs and also acknowledge and reward responsible businesses, thus encouraging businesses to embrace their role in problem mi ga on with vigor. This will require the current Indian top- down approach of formula ng CSR policies to become more flexible and will entail regional, state and local administra ons to play a pivotal role in both spreading awareness and working with businesses to alleviate concerns at the grassroots level, for example in the form of PPP. The new CSR rule, 2013 clearly mandated CSR spending based on its profit or turn over or net worth basis and defines under schedule VII the classifica on of work areas/ developmental themes to work on. The New policy was in sync with all business types s ll we found few situa ons which creates the confusion for CSR managers and management - Case I In a situa on where EC given to project have s pula on on CSR spend but concerned company yet to make any profit. Case II In a situa on where EC 39