The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, presented first National Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards to selected companies on 29th October. The President conferred national awards to winning companies in two categories namely, “Corporate Award for Excellence in CSR” and “Contribution of CSR in Challenging Circumstances”.

President Ram Nath Kovind observed that through National CSR Awards companies are being recognised for their contribution to society. Such contribution through CSR is a true manifestation of the trusteeship philosophy of Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. He also noted that the award assume greater significance since these are being presented in the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. He stated that CSR has now become an integral part of business philosophy such that companies also carry activities which directly benefit the poor and needy including women, people with special abilities, rural areas, slums, etc.

The President also announced that going forward National CSR Awards will be given away on 2nd October every year.

The National CSR Awards have been instituted by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to recognize corporate initiatives in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to achieve inclusive growth and inclusive and sustainable development. The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), think-tank of the Ministry, has rendered technical and logistics support in the conduct of the rigorous award process.

Winning companies in the third category of Awards, i.e. “Contribution of CSR in National Priority Areas” were felicitated by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. In her address, the Finance Minister said that CSR is not merely contribution of funds, it is the corporate contribution towards inclusive societies which matters.

Sitharaman emphasised that companies should strive for development of North Eastern region of the country.

She assured the industry that while administering the law, the core spirit of CSR shall be protected. She further added that the MCA would encourage, and not force, companies to come forward and embrace CSR.

She released a coffee table book on CSR activities by companies in India.

The first copy of the coffee table book was presented by Sitharaman to the President of India. The book contains the noteworthy focus and impact of CSR activities on ground.

Across the three award categories, companies adjudged as Honourable Mentions were felicitated by Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs.

As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, there could be no better year to recognize all those people who have done extremely well; I congratulate all for contributing more than Rs. 50,000 crore in CSR activities echoed Thakur.

528 entries were received this year and based on the submissions by the companies and reports of the independent assessment by CSR experts and the jury, 19 award winners and 19 honourable mentions across the three award categories were announced.

Winners In Different Categories:

1. Corporate Award for Excellence in CSR.
CSR spend above INR 100 Crores
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited

Honourable Mentions
ITC Limited
Tata Steel Limited

2. Corporate Award for Excellence in CSR.
CSR spend between INR 10 Cr – 100 Cr
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited

Honourable Mentions
National Aluminum Co. Limited
Maruti Suzuki India Limited

3. Corporate Award for Excellence in CSR
CSR spend between INR 1 Cr 10 Cr
Edelweiss Financial Services Limited

Honourable Mentions
Tata Technologies Limited

4. Corporate Award for Excellence in CSR
CSR spend below INR 1 Crore
Paranjape Autocast Pvt. Ltd.

5. CSR in Challenging Circumstances
North India
SRF Limited

6. CSR in Challenging Circumstances
North-East India
CRISIL Limited

7. CSR in Challenging Circumstances
East India
Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited

Honourable Mentions
Hindustan Copper Limited
Mecon Limited

8. CSR in Challenging Circumstances
West India
Technip India Limited

Honourable Mentions.
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone
Limited

9. CSR in Challenging Circumstances
South India
The Andhra Pradesh Mineral
Development Corporation Limited

Honourable Mentions
Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited

10. Contribution to the National Priority
Areas
Education
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited

Honourable Mentions
Mahindra and Mahindra Limited

11. Contribution to the National Priority Areas
Skill Development and Livelihoods
Hindalco Industries Limited

Honourable Mentions
JSW Steel Limited

12. Contribution to the National Priority Areas
Agriculture & Rural Development
Mahindra and Mahindra Limited

Honourable Mentions
HDFC Bank Limited

13. Contribution to the National Priority Areas
Health, Safe Drinking Water and
Sanitation
Mahanadi Coal Fields Limited

Honourable Mentions
ITC Limited

14. Contribution to the National Priority Areas
Environment, Sustainable Development
& Solar Energy
Power Finance Corporation Limited

Honourable Mentions
Schneider Electric IT

15. Contribution to the National Priority Areas
Women & Child Development
Indian Oil Corporation Limited

Honourable Mentions
Rail Vikas Nigam Limited

16. Contribution to the National Priority Areas
Women & Child Development
JSW Energy Limited

17. Contribution to the National Priority Areas
Promotion of Sports
Central Coalfields Limited

Honourable Mentions
IndusInd Bank Limited
India Infrastructure Finance Company
Limited

18. Contribution to the National Priority Areas
Slum Area Development
Equitas Holdings Limited

19. Contribution to the National Priority Areas
Support to Differently abled
Minda Corporation Limited

Honourable Mentions
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited