Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Policy
PREAMBLE
The Companies Act 2013 has brought the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility in the limelight for all the qualifying companies through its “Comply –or – Explain mandate.” The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility has gained prominence from all avenues. Organizations have realized that Government, alone will not be able to get success in its endeavor to uplift the downtrodden of Society. With the rapidly changing corporate environment, more functional autonomy, operational freedom etc. Company has adopted CSR as a strategic tool for sustainable growth. For Company in the present context, CSR means not only investment of funds for Social Activity but also Integration of Business processes with Social processes.
The concept of CSR provisions put formal and a greater responsibility on the Companies to set out clear framework and process to ensure strict compliance.
OBJECTIVE
The main objective of CSR policy is to lay down guidelines for the companies to make CSR a key business process for sustainable development for the Society. It aims at supplementing the role of the Government in enhancing welfare measures of the society based on the immediate and long term social and environmental consequences of their activities. Company will act as a good Corporate Citizen, subscribing to the principles of Global Compact for implementation.
CONSTITUTION OF CSR COMMITTEE
In terms of section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Rules made thereunder, Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on 8th May 2014 has constituted a CSR Committee and the following are its members;
Pierre D’souza Director
Joseph D’souza Director
POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE FOLLOWING ARE THE POWERS OF THE CSR COMMITTEE:
(i) Formulate CSR Policy and recommend the same to the Board of Directors of the Company for approval
(ii) Recommend CSR activities as stated under Schedule VII of the Act
(iii) Approve to undertake CSR activities and to separately report the same in accordance with the CSR Rules
(iv) Recommend the CSR Budget
(v) Spend the allocated CSR amount on the CSR activities once it is approved by the Board of Directors of the Company in accordance with the Act and the CSR Rules
(vi) Create transparent monitoring mechanism for implementation of CSR Initiatives
(vii) Submit the Reports to the Board in respect of the CSR activities undertaken by the Company
(viii) Monitor CSR Policy from time to time
(ix) Monitor activities/charter of Joint Working Group (JWG) who are authorized to ensure that the CSR activities of the Company are implemented effectively
(x) Authorize executives of the Company to attend the CSR Committee Meetings
AREAS TO BE COVERED
While we intends to undertake all or any suitable activity as specified in Schedule VII to the Act, currently, we focus to support and implement the following Sectors as our thrust areas.
Healthcare ;
Drinking Water;
Education;
Vocational Skills;
Public Libraries;
Employment Opportunities;
Rural Development;
Gender Equality;
Old Aged Homes and Orphans Homes;
Environment Protection;
Animal welfare
Promoting and development of Art and Culture;
Protection of National Heritage;
Promotion and development of rural sports;
Contribution to Prime Minister’s National Relief fund or any other fund set up by the Central Government for socio – economic development and relief and welfare of the scheduled castes, the scheduled Tribes, other backward classes, minorities and woman;
Any other area as may be prescribed by Schedule VII amended from time to time;
The Company will review the sectors from time to time and make additions/deletions/clarifications to the above sectors.
ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
The Company shall spend not less than 2% of its average net profits for the immediately preceding three financial years or such other minimum amount as specified under the CSR Provisions.
Provided further that the allocation of the funds for CSR activities shall not be at the cost of or in place / stead of the statutory / contractual obligations of the Company towards the government, banks and financial institutions
Provided further that the surplus arising out of the CSR Projects or Programs or Activities shall not form part of the business profits of the Company
IMPLEMENTATION
This CSR Policy will be implemented from the succeeding year of a Financial Year in which the Company shows the net profits as per its audited annual financial statements. Based on the net profits, if any, every year, the CSR Committee will identify the CSR activities including the thrust areas, annual budget, planned expenditure and implementation schedule etc.
The preference for CSR activities shall be given the local areas where registered office of the Company is situated.
However, this shall not bar the Company from pursuing its CSR activities in any other areas.
CSR IN COLLABORATION OR THROUGH A MEDIUM
The Company will undertake its CSR activities as approved by the CSR Committee, through itself or through a registered trust or registered society or a Company established by the Company under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.
The CSR Committee will decide the mode of execution of such activities /projects i.e. whether such activities will be carried out by a registered and approved trust or society or a company with an established track record of not less than three years in undertaking similar programs or projects or they will be carried out by team of persons specifically formed for such purpose(s) or such other mode as is within the scope of the CSR Provisions and most suitable for execution of that particular activity / project.
The CSR Committee may also decide to contribute the entire or part of the amount to any fund as is within the scope of CSR Provisions