A High Level Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility – 2018 (HLC-2018) has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Shri. Injeti Srinivas, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to review the existing framework and guide and formulate the roadmap for a coherent policy on Corporate Social Responsibility ( CSR).

The Committee is expected to review the existing CSR framework as per Act, Rules and Circulars issued from time to time and recommend guidelines for better enforcement of CSR provisions. It will analyze outcomes of CSR activities/programmes/projects and suggest measures for effective monitoring and evaluation of CSR by companies. Suggestions are also expected on innovative solutions, use of technology, platform to connect stakeholders, and social audit.

The provisions of section 135 of Companies Act, 2013 (Act) pertaining to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) came into force on 01.04.2014 with a view to promoting responsible and sustainable business through inclusive growth.

The four years of implementation have enabled compilation of data on the number of companies complying with CSR provisions, funds allocated and spent across various sectors, geographical spread of CSR spending, etc. Experience has also been gained on the quantum, outreach and impact of CSR (which is estimated to be around ₹ 38, 000 crore up to FY 2016-17) and immense feedback has been received on how CSR provisions can be leveraged to have larger and more impactful outcomes.

The existing provisions of in Companies Act, 2013 with respect to CSR fully empower the Board of a Company to decide on their CSR Policy, approve projects and oversee implementation. Many suggestions with respect to CSR such as local preference, earmarking CSR spend for backward areas, contribution to national/state funds, notifying priority areas, monitoring compliance, supplementing / complimenting government programmes, etc. have been received from various stakeholders. The Ministry had earlier set up a High Level Committee on CSR in 2015 which made several recommendations, including review of CSR framework after three years which is almost over.

The composition of  High Level Committee  is as follows:

S. No.	Members	Role
	Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs	Chairperson
	DG, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs	Member
	Chairman, SEBI or his representative (not below the rank of ED)	Member
	Mr. N. Chandrasekharan, Chairman Tata Sons	Member
	Mr. Amit Chandra, MD, Bain Capital Private Equity	Member
	Mr. P. S. Narasimha, Additional Solicitor General	Member
	Prof. Anil K Gupta, Founder Honey Bee Network & Prof. IIM-A	Member
	Mr. Prakash Padukone, Former World Badminton Champion, Arjuna Awardee & Padma Shri	Member
	Mr. S Santhanakrishnan, CA & Consultant	Member
	Mr. Mathew Cherian, CEO Helpage India	Member
	Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs	Member Convener

The Committee  shall submit its report within three months from the date of holding its first meeting. The recommendations of this Committee shall be submitted to the Government.

Corporate Social Responsibility framework review to recommend stronger enforcement, monitoring and stakeholder engagement, with recommendations submitted to government. A High Level Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs will review the statutory CSR framework, assess implementation outcomes and compliance, and recommend guidelines on enforcement, monitoring, evaluation, social audit, stakeholder platforms and use of technology. The Committee, composed of government, regulatory, corporate and civil-society members, must submit its recommendations to the Government within three months of its first meeting.