Welcome to Corporate social responsibility(CSR)

1. "Namami Gange", an Integrated River Conservation Mission, has been set up by Government of India (GOI) as an umbrella program for restoring the wholesomeness of the river Ganga. National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG) is already undertaking various pollution abatement activities such as creation of treatment infrastructure for domestic/industrial waste water, collection & disposal of floating debris, river front development, complete sanitation in rural areas, conservation of key aquatic species such as dolphins, turtles, gharials etc, and creating awareness among common public. As part of Namami Gange program, GOI has established Clean Ganga Fund (CGF) for encouraging people participation and ownership. CGF is administered by a Trust, chaired by the Hon’ble Finance Minister. The fund of CGF would be utilized for various river rejuvenation projects identified under Namami Gange program.
2. Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, requires companies having net worth of Rs. 500 crore or more and turnover of Rs. 1,000 crore or more during any financial year to spend at least 2% of the average of the net profits made by the company during the three immediately preceding financial years in pursuance of its Corporate Social Responsibility Policy. Activities in the Corporate Social Responsibility Policy as detailed in Schedule VII to the Companies Act, 2013 include activities relating to ensuring environmental sustainability, ecological balance, protection of flora & fauna, animal welfare, agroforestry, conservation of natural resources and maintaining quality of soil, air and water. Vide notification dated 24 October 2014, contributions to CGF set-up by the Central Government including activities relating to rejuvenation of river Ganga have been specially brought within the ambit of CSR activities.
3. CGF offers a unique opportunity for corporates to participate in the nation’s largest environmental effort- rejuvenation of river Ganga. Corporates can either contribute money to CGF or undertake certain activities such as adopting ghats, piloting new technologies, collecting & disposing floating debris/solid waste, conducting research, creating awareness and planting trees. NMCG facilitates all necessary cooperation required from state level agencies for the success of corporate endeavors in this direction.
4. An Interactive workshop on “Clean Ganga Fund” was held under the chairmanship of Shri U.P Singh, Director General, NMCG, on 19 January 2017. 67 delegates including senior level CSR functionaries from 51 public and private sector corporates such as ONGC, GAIL, BHEL, Bharat Petroleum, United India Insurance Company, Oil India Limited, Tata Sons, JSW and SAIL attended the workshop. Objective of the workshop was to apprise and sensitize the Corporate bodies – both in the public and private sector, on the activities being undertaken as part of Namami Gange program and exploring the possibility of meaningful participation by the corporates in the national endeavor of Ganga rejuvenation.
5. Corporates may select one or more of these project activities by clicking on the appropriate tab provided on the webpage. Corporates may also pose any other project activities of their choice if such projects contribute to the objectives of the Namami Gange Program. Such project activities may be selected through proper field survey & feedback by engagement of the residents of the area wherein the project is proposed to be executed. Project activities so selected by the corporates would need to be approved by NMCG.
6. Corporates would develop detailed proposals for the project activities selected by them for execution. These proposals would include interalia nature of activities, scope of work, plan of action, financial outlay and other details. Proposals so developed would be duly appraised by NMCG.
7. The project activities to be executed by the corporates as part of their CSR activities under the Namami Gange Program should provide due visibility, be effective and be sustainable. Necessary guidance may be sought from NMCG in this regard.
8. A feedback mechanism is provided for two way communication with NMCG.

Guidelines for taking up projects under CSR initiatives

1. NMCG will consider and approve only those activities which contribute to cleaning & rejuvenation of Ganga & its tributaries and allied projects as CSR activities under the umbrella of Namami Gange Program.
2. Corporates may select one or more of these project activities by clicking on the appropriate tab provided on the webpage. Corporates may also pose any other project activities of their choice if such projects contribute to the objectives of the Namami Gange Program.
3. Project activities may be selected through proper field survey & feedback by engagement with the residents of the area wherein the project is proposed to be executed.
4. Corporates would develop detailed proposals for the project and activities selected by them for execution based on the surveys in the proposed region/places. These proposals would include interalia nature of activities, scope of work, plan of action, financial outlays, period of activity/date of completion of the project, manpower deployment and other details.
5. The project proposals should also spell out the involvement of the local authorities and agencies and the NOC required for such projects/activities.
6. The proposals with clear plan of action would be required to be submitted to the NMCG for approval and go-ahead.
7. NMCG after appraisal of the proposals will convey approval cum go ahead sanction for execution of or carrying out the proposed projects. Thereafter, the corporate concerned would enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NMCG.
8. NMCG would also facilitate the requisite NOC / permissions from the local authorities, if so required, for execution of the projects.
9. The Corporate entities would nominate a Nodal officer for overseeing the execution of the project and will be required to render a quarterly report on the progress of the project for appraisal by NMCG.
10. A feedback mechanism is developed under the CSR website where each corporate can fill its details such Name, Address, Contact No, Email id etc. while adopting the CSR Activity through the website.
11. The Corporates taking up the projects would be expected to carry out Information, Education , Communication (IEC) activities to sensitize the local populace about the project, its benefits and also engage with them for successful acceptance of the activities in the region.
12. The project activities to be executed by the corporates as part of their CSR activities under the Namami Gange Program should provide due visibility, be effective and sustainable.
13. The ‘Namami Gange’ banner would be appropriately displayed on sites of such projects along with the Corporate symbols.
14. A clear funding line be made available during the currency of the project for its success. Any problems in continuance of the projects be brought to the notice of NMCG timely for intervention and hand holding.
15. In the event of the project being shelved prior to its period of contract, the Corporates would be required to suggest alternatives for continuance.
16. The projects be taken up after making realistic assessment of ground conditions and support to avoid any untimely abrogation which may lead to adverse publicity.
17. The funding for the projects would be taken up only from the earmarked CSR funds under the provisions of Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. Investment of funds from any other source will not be accepted.
18. A monitoring mechanism has been integrated with the CSR website to reply the technical queries & feedback received from corporates who adopt the CSR activities listed on the CSR webpage.