NEW DELHI: Facilitating private companies to undertake Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities for Ganga rejuvenation, the government on Wednesday launched an interactive web page on the National Mission for clean Ganga (NMCG) online platform.
Garbage spread at Patna Collectorate Ghat. (TOI file photo used for representation only)
The exclusive web page, launched by Union water resources minister Nitin Gadkari, carries all details of projects and activities which can be taken up by corporate houses under the CSR funds. It will enable them to apply works online on the NMCG website’s interactive page.
Launching the web page, Gadkari called upon the private sector to join the herculean task of Ganga rejuvenation with their resources, reach and experience by taking up projects of ‘Namami Gange’ CSR activities.
Once a private company applies for works online under CSR policy, the NMCG will consider and approve the activities which contribute to cleaning and rejuvenation of the river Ganga and its tributaries.
Corporate houses may select one or more of these project activities by clicking on the appropriate tab provided on the web page. Companies may also select other project activities of their choice if such projects contribute to the objectives of the ‘Namami Gange’ programme.
Project activities may be selected through proper field survey and feedback by engagement with the residents of the area wherein the project is proposed to be executed.
According to the NMCG, the project activities to be executed by the corporate houses as part of their CSR activities under the Namami Gange programme should provide due visibility, be effective and sustainable. A monitoring mechanism has been integrated with the CSR website to reply to the technical queries and feedback received from corporate.
Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, requires companies having net worth of Rs 500 crore or more and turnover of Rs 1,000 crore or more during any financial year to spend at least 2% of the average of the net profits made by the company during the three immediately preceding financial years in pursuance of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy.
Activities in the CSR policy as detailed in Schedule VII to the Companies Act, 2013 include activities relating to ensuring environmental sustainability, ecological balance, protection of flora & fauna, animal welfare, agro-forestry, conservation of natural resources and maintaining quality of soil, air and water.
The government had through a notification on October 24, 2014 brought activities relating to rejuvenation of river Ganga within the ambit of CSR activities.
Article Source: The Economic Times