NSE companies CSR spend increases by 18 per cent

Spends on corporate social responsibility (CSR) by companies listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) increased by 18%, according to data analysed by nseinfobase.com, a joint initiative between NSE and Prime Database. The CSR spending of the companies has increased to Rs 11,961 crore in 2018-19, up from Rs 10,179 crore in 2017-18.

The analysis was based on 1,132 companies listed on the NSE as on March 31, 2019. The average net profits of the listed companies over the last three years was Rs 6 lakh crore from which the companies are mandated to spend 2% of their profits as CSR.

Pranav Haldea, managing director, Prime Database said, “In line with the previous year, education received the maximum spend (Rs 4,440 crore) followed by healthcare (Rs 3,242 crore). Areas such as armed force veterans, technology incubators, slum development and disaster management saw negligible spends.”

However, the data also shows that the spending on armed force veterans increased the most compared to last year followed by spends on reducing inequalities and healthcare.

Overall, 653 companies increased their spending from the previous year and there were 488 companies which exceeded their prescribed spending. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), ONGC, Reliance and Tata Steel saw a maximum increase in their absolute CSR spends from last year.

“Not all areas of the country are benefiting equally. Since the Act decrees that companies shall give preference to the local area, the more industrialised parts of the country are cornering a larger share,” Haldea added. Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan received maximum funds in terms of CSR spends.

Source: Financial Express