POST EDITORIAL: CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) – A STEP TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT

Shani Sharma, Ranipool

As  a part of Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) , Teesta –IV HE Project Ltd. landed over two number of newly constructed classroom sheds to Taryang Primary School , Lower Dzongu, North Sikkim.The construction was intended to cater to the necessities of the local students whose school building was damaged by the Earthquake of September 18, 2011.

If we simply look into the picture, building and maintaining a school should be the prime concern of the government. But why is it so that the Hydel company only felt the need of constructing the aforesaid classrooms to the students far North in Dzongu?

North Sikkim is one of the most neglected and underdeveloped district of Sikkim. Why our Government believe in the development as in patches? When are we going to consider development in a holistic manner holding an egalitarian approach i.e. characterized by belief in equal political, economic, social, and civil rights for all people.

Further, The Constitution (Eighty-sixth Amendment) Act, 2002 inserted Article 21-A in the Constitution of India to provide free and compulsory education of all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a Fundamental Right in such a manner as the State may, by law, determine. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which represents the consequential legislation envisaged under Article 21-A, means that every child has a right to full time elementary education of satisfactory and equitable quality in a formal school which satisfies certain essential norms and standards. Even the Constitution safeguards the basic educational right of every child born in India. So, why is the government not ensuring such right in Taryang Primary School in North Dzongu? The devastative calamity of September 18, 2011 did a huge destruction of people and property mainly in North Sikkim. Thus, ideally the maximum upliftment and resettlement should have been done in the very same district. But unfortunately it was not so. Our government has proved itself a total failure where it lacked behind even in providing basic human rights like health and education.

Here I want to make it very clear that we are not against the private companies’ philanthropic activities, which are taking such noble steps in those neglected areas through the landmark step of Corporate Social Responsibility. Because we do not have any hope with the government, as it has lose its credibility when it comes to better administration and governance. It is in its last stage, where any of its tactics and shrewd tricks cannot change the minds of at least the educated youths who are scrutinising the Governmental activities since last 19 years.

I  want to thank the Teesta –IV HE Project Ltd, who found it worth to construct the classroom shed which is an area of grave concern where our government is busy in doing some more important works which probably are not for our poor and downtrodden people. Vested interest and ulterior motives, along with political nepotism and favoritism are the main reasons why Sikkimese people are suffering today inspite of having such a small area and countable number of population.

Discussing something about CSR, CSR is not new to India. Companies like TATA and BIRLA have been imbibing the case for social good in their operations for decades long before CSR become a popular cause. Inspite of having such life size successful examples, CSR in India is in a very nascent stage. It is still one of the least understood initiatives in the Indian development sector. It is followed by a handful of public companies as dictated by the very basis of their existence, and by a few private companies, with international shareholding as this is the practice followed by them in their respective foreign country. Thus the situation is far from perfect as the emphasis is not on social good but rather on a policy that needs to be implemented.

A lack of understanding, inadequately trained personnel, non availability of authentic data and specific information on the kinds of CSR activities, coverage, policy etc. further adds to the reach and effectiveness of CSR programmes. But the situation is changing. And CSR is coming out of the purview of 'doing social good' and is fast becoming a 'business necessity'. The 'business case' for CSR is gaining ground and corporate houses are realising that 'what is good for workers - their community, health, and environment is also good for the business'.

For example, a more comprehensive method of development is adopted by some corporations such as Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, and Hindustan Unilever Limited. Provision of improved medical and sanitation facilities, building schools and houses, and empowering the villagers and in process making them more self-reliant by providing vocational training and a knowledge of business operations are the facilities that these corporations focus on.Many of the companies are helping other peoples by providing them good standard of living.

On the other hand, the CSR programs of corporations like GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals’ focus on the health aspect of the community. They set up health camps in tribal villages which offer medical check-ups and treatment and undertake health awareness programs. Some of the non-profit organizations which carry out health and education programs in backward areas are to a certain extent funded by such corporations.

We have so many pharmaceuticals companies established in our state .What are they doing as a part of CSR? What are the undergoing plans of actions they are implementing for the betterment of our state? Are they helping us in infrastructural building? Are they concerned about our environmental degradation issues due to the pollutants and gases emitting from their factories? Are they giving good education, better standard of living and medical facilities to their workers, who work in their companies for 8-12 long hours? These are the issues we need to tackle around. Responsibility of a Government is not just to rule the state but living in a welfare era it should take good care of its citizens with long-term vision and realistic developmental policies.