Mandating CSR: Indian Government Demands Full Disclosure From Companies - A blog by Aman Singh

Aug 12, 2010 3:58 PM ET

Mandating CSR: Indian Government Demands Full Disclosure From Companies

As the US markets continue to debate whether we are still in a recession, on the road to recovery, or headed for a double recession, the Indian government is busy imposing regulations to boost corporate philanthropy and social responsibility. In an economy that continues to post steady growth despite upheavals across Europe and the U.S., India Inc. is increasingly facing scrutiny for their role—or their notable absence—in the social and environmental growth of the country.

In early March, corporations were surprised with an announcement from the government's Corporate Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid: Corporate Social Responsibility could become written law if companies did not step up their social responsibility footprint. He said, "You can't hope that everything will work without a basic legislative line drawn. But where that line should be drawn must come by way of consensus from industry.

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