Kerala’s moniker “God’s Own Country” certainly fits the bill. A recent report by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) revealed that Kerala recorded a whopping 465% growth in CSR funding between 2014 and 2019 in comparison to the national average of 85%.
According to the published report, Kerala’s CSR funding in 2014-15 was Rs 68 crore, which grew to a mammoth Rs 386 crore in 2018-19. This massive spike can be attributed to the leading roles played by corporate giants like Adani, Ambani, Bharat Petroleum and HDFC.
The period also witnessed a noticeable increase in the number of companies that promoted CSR initiatives in the state. MCA officials said that the number of companies involved in CSR programmes grew from a paltry 128 to 993 in 2018, which is almost an eight-fold increase.
Chief among them are top companies owned by Adani, Ambani, among others. If we get down to numbers, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd topped the charts spending Rs 27.5 crore in 2018-19. RIL was a close second with Rs 26 crore and Bharat Petroleum rounded up the top three contributing Rs 24.8 crore.
Over the years, a gradual shift in the focus areas of CSR activities can also be observed. The Education sector is a prominent example. In 2014-15, it was allotted almost 25% of all CSR funds but received only 15% in 2018-19. At first glance, the statistics might seem baffling but when Kerala’s high literacy rate is taken into account, it makes complete sense.
The state witnessed a ginormous influx of relief material and funds following the devastating floods of 2018.. Adani and Ambani were the two big names that topped the charts again. The Adani Foundation contributed Rs 50 crore to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, while Reliance donated Rs 21 crore, besides Rs 50 crore worth of relief materials.
Kerala continues to lead in the Sustainable Development Goals Index as the state goes from strength to strength. Its exemplary record in CSR funding is set to increase with big names like Infosys, Tata and Axis Bank following the Adani-Ambani duo.
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