Chief Minister Sri A. Revanth Reddy directed officials to formulate a dedicated policy for the effective utilization of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, in addition to their mobilization. He suggested that, on behalf of the government, corporate entities undertaking development and public welfare initiatives within the state using CSR funds should be commended.
He instructed that a special event be organized annually to felicitate representatives of organizations that have demonstrated outstanding participation. He further directed that arrangements for this felicitation ceremony be made as part of the State Formation Day celebrations. It was also decided to establish a dedicated CSR Cell at the state level.
The Chief Minister conducted a high-level review meeting regarding CSR funds in the Legislative Council meeting hall. He stated that the state-level CSR Cell would be responsible for coordinating comprehensive details—including the initiatives currently being undertaken by corporate companies in the state using CSR funds, the projects available across various government departments, and the specific programs that can potentially be implemented through CSR initiatives.
He issued directives to design a dedicated ‘Telangana CSR Portal’ to serve as a vital link between the government and corporate entities. He emphasized that the portal should feature comprehensive details of various projects available across different government departments, thereby enabling corporate organizations to identify and contribute CSR funds towards initiatives that align with their objectives.
He instructed that the portal be designed in an engaging and user-friendly manner to facilitate easy interaction between corporate entities and the government, allowing them to conveniently select projects that best suit their interests. Officials reported to the Chief Minister that the state’s share of CSR funds at the national level currently stands at a mere 3 percent.
The Chief Minister observed that the CSR funds received thus far have not met expectations; he questioned the propriety of companies and industries establishing their operations in Telangana while channeling their CSR funds for expenditure elsewhere. He emphasized the need for the state to receive a greater share of CSR funds and directed that measures be taken to ensure that corporate entities and industries operating within the state allocate the majority of their CSR spending within Telangana itself.
He instructed officials to study the strategies adopted by other states for mobilizing CSR funds. He further stated that a new policy should be formulated to facilitate an increase in this share, and that approaches designed to attract corporate entities should be implemented. The Chief Secretary, K. Ramakrishna Rao, along with other senior officials, participated in the meeting.
