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CII organizes conference on skill development and CSR [India Business] [Times of India](Times of India Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) AHMEDABAD: Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) recently organized a skills and CSR Conference with the theme "CSR the Game Changer for Skill Development" in the city. Speaking at the Conference, Atul Garg, past Chairman CII Gujarat State Council said Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has assumed a new meaning in today's world. It has extended the boundaries of the firm into the society. In recent years, CSR, the social commitment of the companies toward society, is becoming an increasingly important activity to businesses nationally and internationally. He further added that Corporates, through CSR are putting a high impact on society and supporting government directly or indirectly for betterment of society. Understanding the importance of the corporate contribution towards society, Government of India has taken proactive step and introduced CSR Rules in New Companies Act. Under which, companies are mandated to spend 2% of their profit for betterment of society. Industries should explore vast opportunities in skill development for the youth using CSR fund so that a win-win situation could be created for both, industry and society. Increasing the employability of youth through effective skill development could be central to corporate strategy and not merely an afterthought resulting from difficulties in recruitment. Himansnshu Upadhyay, Chairman, CII Gujarat State Panel on CSR and Director, Gujarat Gas said "Its not about the Corporate Social Responsibility - its a corporate's fundamental duty to ensure that a marginal section of the profit earned is spend in the betterment of the society." He further added that CII Gujarat has initiated rating NGOs; ratings will be conducted on various parameters including finance, transparency, effectiveness of the projects, governance. This list of NGOs will be sent to all the CII member companies across Gujarat so that there is a effective and right partnership between the industry and NGO. This service from CII is to create a platform where industries find the right type of NGOs with whom they could work closely to execute their CSR activities. Kapil Bijani, Chairman, CII Gujarat State Panel on Skill Development & Vice President - Human Resource, Hitachi Hi-Rel Power Electronics Pvt Ltd highlighted that "India is not facing a problem of unemployment but rather underemployment." As a recourse, CII has launched its own Skills Development Initiative, which is aligned, to the National Skills Development Agenda to skill 500 million people by 2022. CII has been facilitating its member companies to utilize CSR funds for Skill Development. (c) 2014 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited |