Pakistan Needs to Introduce CSR

[padamchen]

Yar I am not in favor of full autonomy ...... they contribute, build and hand it over. Don't want another mafia exploiting common helpless people.

We went that route too, with some of our mega infrastructure projects in the 90s.

Its a mixed bag.

Cheers, Doc

 

[I.R.A]

We went that route too, with some of our mega infrastructure projects in the 90s.

Its a mixed bag.

Cheers, Doc

Can you name some of the contributions?

 

[padamchen]

Can you name some of the contributions?

Mumbai Pune Expressway.

Gadkaris baby.

Asian Games villages and bus fleets before and after that ... though permanently tainted by Kalmadi.

Worli Sea Link and Eastern Freeway in Mumbai.

The new international terminals in Mumbai and New Delhi. Also Bangalore and Hyderabad.

I'm sure there are many more ... these are just at the top of my head in terms of big corporate-government partnerships.

Cheers, Doc

 

[Yaseen1]

1. This is very good concept particularly if the industries are required to contribute those objects which they manufacture or related to their main product as donation this will be easy for them and there will be no burden on them

 

[VCheng]

Would like to hear what @krash has to say on it.

I personally think its a great idea...but Pakistan needs to focus on improving its bureaucracy as it is (delivery efficiency and meritocracy within there for example) esp if you are going the legislation (top down) route....

By making it (bureaucracy) more lean and mean... there is better buffer for companies/corporates (esp at the more smaller and medium sizes that have a relevance/adaptability of quite important different nature to that of big beefy mini-govt corporates) to have the means to start acting more independently regarding how they can sustainably help the larger society they spring from etc (and get the long term rewards from that...that benefit them as well etc).

Leaping too early into that realm before you sort out those more crucial delivery+scope dynamics of the govt bureaucracy (and institutions)....means you potentially just adding another tool to their arsenal to burden any existing companies philanthropist intent (i.e just another kind of tax/extortion route in the hands of some bad local govt people etc).

I am not too well versed in the specifics of Pakistan regarding this....but I can say that in India its exceedingly difficult to set up an independent privately run education institution (as I have had experience in trying to get this going with few likeminded gents... but we didnt have the means/time back then given the bureaucratic red tape and BS we ran into...but still is something I look to doing at some point...hopefully when things get better)...so I can only imagine what it could be like in other such social responsibility stuff (given you start to step on toes of what some govt thugs think is purely what they should be seen doing etc).

@django @Hell hound @Major Sam @Game.Invade @Desert Fox @Psychic @farhan_9909 @Jungibaaz @waz @Arsalan @Moonlight @Joe Shearer @hellfire @Levina @nair @padamchen @WAJsal @jbgt90 @ziaulislam @VCheng @Indus Pakistan @OsmanAli98 @The Sandman @Oscar @Tps43 @Mentee @war&peace @dexter

Corporate social responsibility can only be built after the foundation is laid by government social responsibility. Expecting CSR to work without GSR is like building a 100 story skyscraper with the first 25 missing. One would need an anti-gravity device for such a design to work.

 

[third eye]

Can you name some of the contributions?

You may like to peruse the link ( & articles/ news therein) below. CSR in India is huge & despite glitches is contributing well to the society

https://thecsrjournal.in/

 

[django]

Oye @Zibago @django look who is back

Indeed he is .Kudos bhai

 

[Hell hound]

Corporate Social Responsibility.

I see so much potential and benefit by making legislation in this regard. It would also help reduce dependency on NGOs (which remain a controversial matter). Plus it doesn't have to be some strict punishment style laws, tax rebates and credits can be given in lieu, plus it helps them (businesses) with projecting their positive image, buying goodwill of masses, sort of marketing for their brand. I think it can help a lot with infrastructure and welfare. Like construction companies before allowed to build any project in any city, are asked to build school, hospital, clinic, park, orphanage, night homes etc. Oil and exploration companies asked to contribute to areas like Sui village (wherever they are busy in exploration), or just take those mattress supplying Diamond foam etc, provide subisdised / foc mattresses to hospitals. Auto industry to build ambulances, fire fighting vehicles etc. Like any corporation can help beautify any area at least.

I wonder why its missing. Or if there is something in black and white, then why it hasn't been implemented.

@Hell hound @The Sandman @Cookie Monster @PakSword

@padamchen @Nilgiri

totally with you on this idea studied CSR and its impact on society in general during my ACCA and was surprised to know that we never explored the idea.it's a win win for both business and public.but as with our every issue public isn't mature/demanding enough for businesses to feel the need to spend extra in CSR department.same issue with IT sector people in pakistan just can't grasp the importance of modern digital way of doing business or obtaining services so business don't invest in that sector either.
in the end all comes down to simple principle of supply and demand .unfortunately there isn't enough demand right now for both of these things in pakistan even though every other person has access to smart phone and internet yet they don't demand change or maybe they don't want the change and are happy the way things are in the country.

 

[VCheng]

maybe they don't want the change and are happy the way things are in the country.

Many surveys posted on PDF show that indeed Pakistanis are quite happy.

 

[Hell hound]

Many surveys posted on PDF show that indeed Pakistanis are quite happy.

being content with what you have is a great thing but too much of it can hamper the process of positive changes and development.it should be equally balanced with the one's hunger for development and strive to do things more efficiently.
PS there is no harm to be a follower till you are capable enough to at least lead yourself

 

[VCheng]

being content with what you have is a great thing but too much of it can hamper the process of positive changes and development.it should be equally balanced with the one's hunger for development and strive to do things more efficiently.
PS there is no harm to be a follower till you are capable enough to at least lead yourself

I agree, and that is why I posted above that establishing governmental social responsibility is a prerequisite for corporate social responsibility to become feasible.

 

[I.R.A]

in the end all comes down to simple principle of supply and demand .unfortunately there isn't enough demand right now for both of these things in pakistan even though every other person has access to smart phone and internet yet they don't demand change or maybe they don't want the change and are happy the way things are in the country.

Public ignorance is not to be blamed, they were left in dark, not to ever ask for their rights. Pakistanis by their inherent nature demand very little change, mostly they prefer remaining the same, infact they don't question the deteriorating situation unless it becomes a living hell for them. Though try bringing a positive change ..... they would resist it and fight it. Successive governments are to be blamed that they never paid any attention to society building. There are countless examples from daily life where we ruined many a things .... parks built to modern standards and destroyed because we don't like maintaining or upgrading. Look at Islamabad ...... a planned city and how it looks today (Majority of Islamabad is outside F6, F7, E7 etc).

What and how we drive and how we build reflect state of our mentality. Narrow minded congested suffocating ugly.

Still there are people who understand and put these gadgets to their intended use and extract benefits. Small businesses have installed biometric, cctvs, softwares , paperless environment. The workplace ethics, professionalism and environment in a private firm / company and government office(s) are pole opposite. For example take FBR, that institution is in dire need of hiring qualified certified accountants but they induct their officer cadre through CSP or CSS exams. And look at SECP that has mainly certified accountants serving it. Right people for the right job. The change revolution can be brought ...... all it needs is out of box thinking. I think the first and foremost change that has to be brought is defining .... who is competent enough to become a legislator and sit in the parliament and senate.

I agree, and that is why I posted above that establishing governmental social responsibility is a prerequisite for corporate social responsibility to become feasible.

How and why is it necessary? Why the latter cannot be started simultaneously (at small scale), while trying to fix the government mess (which would take ages) .......? It's a known fact that private sector holds more competency, will and capability compared to government sector. I have been to CDA offices and believe me there is no hope, you cannot willingly stay there for half an hour.

You may like to peruse the link ( & articles/ news therein) below. CSR in India is huge & despite glitches is contributing well to the society

https://thecsrjournal.in/

Thanks, I had no idea that India has this huge CSR, I thought India Pakistan would be same, apparently we failed borrowing this from India.

 

[third eye]

Thanks, I had no idea that India has this huge CSR, I thought India Pakistan would be same, apparently we failed borrowing this from India.

CSR in India is a regular industry by itself. It a part of Ministry of Corporate Affairs . Here is a link to the national CSR portal which could smoe more insight should you be keen to explore.

https://csr.gov.in/CSR/page-history.php

For the record in the FY 15-16 a sum of Rs 9822 Cr was spent on CSR by industries.

 

[padamchen]

CSR in India is a regular industry by itself. It a part of Ministry of Corporate Affairs . Here is a link to the national CSR portal which could smoe more insight should you be keen to explore.

https://csr.gov.in/CSR/page-history.php

For the record in the FY 15-16 a sum of Rs 9822 Cr was spent on CSR by industries.

That's the point I was trying to make to I earlier.

It's an industry. Just not for direct profit.

It probably would not work any other way.

Cheers, Doc

 

[I.R.A]

CSR in India is a regular industry by itself. It a part of Ministry of Corporate Affairs . Here is a link to the national CSR portal which could smoe more insight should you be keen to explore.

https://csr.gov.in/CSR/page-history.php

For the record in the FY 15-16 a sum of Rs 9822 Cr was spent on CSR by industries.

Thanks for sharing the link.

That is huge, and reflective of flourishing business I guess.


@PakSword this is from the link posted above.
"Principle (viii) of the NVGs on 'inclusive growth and equitable development' focuses on encouraging business action on national development priorities, including community development initiatives and strategic CSR based on the shared value concept. This principle of NVG was subsequently translated into a mandatory provision of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013.

The 21st Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance is one of the prime movers for bringing the CSR provisions within the statute. It was observed by the Standing Committee, that annual statutory disclosures on CSR required to be made by the companies under the Act would be a sufficient check on non-compliance. Section 135(4) of the Companies Act 2013 mandates every company qualifying under Section 135(1) to make a statutory disclosure of CSR in its Annual Report of the Board. Rule 9 of the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy), Rules, 2014 prescribes the format in which such disclosure is to be made."