JOIN US There was near-agreement that there should be a self-regulatory mechanism wherein the impact made by NGOs can be measured both in terms of quality and quantity, at a round-table conference on Saturday.
The topic of the programme, organised by Rotary Bangalore Jeevanbimanagar, was ‘Integrating Two Worlds: Corporates and Communities.’ The Indian Companies Act and its transforming effect on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the country were discussed at length. The programme brought corporate representatives, non-government organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders on one platform.
The panelists were Prof Leela Karkaria from Alliance University, Ronnie Vincent, President Rotary Club, Jeevanbimanagar, Shalini Gambhir from Rotary Bangalore TTK Blood Bank, Kirti Vardhana, head (consulting and products), LabourNet, Suma Ravi, Regional Director of CRY and Sumathi Rao from Phillips India. The meeting brought out the various facets of CSR activities vis-a-vis working with different NGOs in this field. They suggested that there could be self-disclosures or self-certifications for the NGOs. The session was chaired by Abhishek Ranjan, Global Marketing Head and Head CSR, Brillio.
Sai Prakash, chief co-ordinator, Erin CSR Consortium, said, “CSR ideally means a voluntary activity even though the government has made it mandatory with the Companies Act,” he said. On being asked how an NGO is selected by a corporate to take ahead its CSR activities, different representatives had different views. Prof Leela said there were no set parameters for choosing an NGO. Depending on the goals of a company, its vision and the area of work, the parameters can be developed or custom-made. Ronnie Vincent said there was a greater need for the government to get involved and participate in CSR activities, along with NGOs and corporates so as to have regular monitoring and enforcement.
Rotary Jeevanbimanagar also donated funds to the TTK Blood Bank, New Thippasandra, where the event was held, for a stem cell registry on the eve of World Blood Donors Day.