Current Affairs

कॉर्पोरेट सामाजिक उत्तरदायित्व निधीच्या सुव्यवस्थेसाठी महा सीएसआर प्राधिकरणाची स्थापना

Source:indiacsr ↗

हे का महत्त्वाचे आहे

CSR funds are crucial supplementary resources for state developmental and welfare schemes. This proposed institutional framework by Maharashtra highlights a transition towards structured governance, asset sustainability, and strategic alignment of private funds with public needs, particularly in women's education and infrastructure maintenance.

सारांश

The Maharashtra Government has proposed the creation of a 'Maha CSR Authority' to streamline and coordinate the utilization of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds across the state. Chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the authority aims to bridge the gap between corporate donors and government priorities through a 'Priority Project Bank'. Key initiatives highlighted under the coordinated CSR framework include an 'Earn While You Learn' scheme providing financial aid to 12 lakh girl students, provisions for the long-term maintenance of CSR-built infrastructure, and a 'Diaspora Connect' model to engage overseas citizens. The authority is designed to enhance transparency, minimize fragmentation of efforts, and ensure alignment with the overarching Companies Act regulations.

मुख्य मुद्दे

  • The Maharashtra government is proposing the establishment of a 'Maha CSR Authority', headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, to consolidate and monitor the use of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
  • A 'Priority Project Bank' will be created to align corporate investments with state development priorities, helping both large corporates and SMEs identify suitable initiatives.
  • The Higher and Technical Education Department plans to use CSR funds for an 'Earn While You Learn' initiative to provide financial support to approximately 12 lakh female college students.
  • The new framework uniquely emphasizes lifecycle planning by allocating funds for the long-term maintenance and repair of CSR-funded infrastructure, preventing assets from becoming non-functional.
  • A 'Diaspora Connect' model is also being explored to involve the global Maharashtrian diaspora in funding local social development initiatives.

महत्त्वाच्या संज्ञा

Maha CSR Authority

A proposed centralized body in Maharashtra, chaired by the Chief Minister, designed to coordinate, monitor, and transparently manage Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds statewide.

UPSC context

Crucial for MPSC GS-2 (State Governance) and GS-4. Tests knowledge of state-level institutional mechanisms for transparent public-private collaboration.

Source
Priority Project Bank

A proposed state repository indexing high-priority developmental projects in Maharashtra, guiding corporations and NGOs to align their CSR investments with actual government needs.

UPSC context

Relevant for MPSC GS-2 and GS-3. Tests understanding of governance tools used to prevent fragmentation in CSR spending.

Source
Earn While You Learn Initiative

A Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Department proposal to use coordinated CSR funds to provide financial aid or "pocket money" to 12 lakh college-going female students.

UPSC context

Important for MPSC GS-2 (Social Justice, Education). Tests awareness of state welfare schemes targeting female education and empowerment.

Source
Diaspora Connect

A proposed funding model in Maharashtra aimed at engaging non-resident Maharashtrians to channel their contributions and CSR funds into state-priority development goals.

UPSC context

Vital for MPSC GS-2 (Role of Diaspora) and GS-3. Highlights innovative approaches to mobilizing alternative resources for state infrastructure.

Source
Companies Act

The overarching Indian legislative framework whose Section 135 mandates qualifying companies to allocate a specific portion of their net profits toward Corporate Social Responsibility activities.

UPSC context

Foundational for MPSC GS-2 (Government Policies) and GS-3. Tests statutory knowledge underpinning corporate social responsibility compliance in India.

पूर्वपरीक्षा सापळा

The Maha CSR Authority is a statutory body that regulates CSR compliance in Maharashtra.

The Authority is purely a state-level coordinating body to facilitate investments. Statutory regulation and compliance of CSR under the Companies Act remains strictly with the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

संबंधित स्थिर संकल्पना

Indian Economy / Corporate Governance

What are the core CSR requirements under the Companies Act, 2013?

  • Applicability: Applies to companies with net worth of ₹500 cr+, turnover of ₹1000 cr+, or net profit of ₹5 cr+.
  • Mandatory Spend: कंपन्यांनी मागील तीन आर्थिक वर्षांतील त्यांच्या सरासरी निव्वळ नफ्याच्या किमान 2% रक्कम खर्च करणे बंधनकारक आहे.
  • Schedule VII: Activities eligible for CSR (like poverty alleviation, education, and environmental sustainability) are listed under Schedule VII of the Act.
Maharashtra Economy & Polity

How are regional disparities structurally addressed in Maharashtra?

  • Fact-Finding Committees: Committees like Dandekar and Vijay Kelkar have historically mapped the developmental backlog of Vidarbha and Marathwada compared to Western Maharashtra.
  • Constitutional Provision: Article 371(2) allows the President to establish separate Development Boards for Vidarbha, Marathwada, and the rest of Maharashtra for equitable allocation of funds.

आंतर-विषय नमुने

  • CSR + Regional Development Imbalance

    Maharashtra receives nearly 46% of India's total CSR, but funds heavily concentrate in Mumbai and Pune. This authority acts as an institutional mechanism to redirect capital toward underdeveloped regions like Marathwada.

  • Higher Education + PPP Models

    Leveraging private CSR funds for the 'Earn While You Learn' scheme for 12 lakh girls demonstrates a practical PPP approach to stem higher education dropouts and boost female workforce participation.

Multi-statement Qs will likely mix Companies Act CSR criteria (Sec 135) with Maha CSR Authority's mandate to fix regional imbalances.

संबंधित PYQ · 3

संबंधित PYQ · 3

  • 2022MPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Government of Maharashtra has adopted gender budgeting from the year ________.

  • 2024MPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Recently, Odisha Chief Minister has launched Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana. What is/are the primary objective/s of the scheme ? (a) To promote higher education for girls. (b) Improve maternal and child nutrition in the State. (c) To provide employment opportunities for adolescent girls. (d) Boosting agricultural production in rural area.

  • 2025MPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Program/s implemented under the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme ________. A. Nutrition supplemental program B. Health check-up C. Worker's training D. Gender inequality