July 20, 2021
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Corporate Social Responsibility obligations allowed to fund COVID 19 healthcare infrastructure and disaster management activities under clarified rules.
The Ministry clarified that CSR funds may be applied to COVID 19 related activities under Schedule VII, including preventive health care, sanitation, makeshift hospitals, COVID care infrastructure, medical oxygen generation and storage plants, and manufacture and supply of oxygen concentrators and ventilators. Company filings in MCA21 and the National CSR Data Portal show rising CSR expenditure and broad company participation. Section 135 requires companies meeting statutory thresholds to undertake CSR, with the board, on the CSR committee's recommendation, responsible for planning, executing and monitoring CSR and disclosing related information in financial statements and board reports.