August 10, 2018
Saugata Roy asks a Question on CSR Funds
FULL TRANSCRIPT
I want to ask a short question. The Minister has kindly said that the Centre does not want to micro-manage the spending of funds under CSR, but when I look at the list provided by the Minister, I see that programmes of the Government of India like Swachh Bharat Kosh, Clean Ganga Fund, Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund and benefits for forces are being funded from the CSR funds. These projects can be funded straight off by the Government of India rather than using the CSR funds.
In this context, I want to ask a short question to the Hon. Minister. Our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to the Prime Minister that since you are allowing contributions to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund from CSR funds, why don’t you allow the Chief Minister’s Relief Funds to benefit from the CSR funds? This is because the States have many responsibilities for which they have very limited resources.
I would request the Minister to please agree to our Chief Minister’s request and allow contributions to the Chief Minister’s Relief Funds from CSR funds.
