Parliament Question: CSR in Aspirational Areas

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2545 ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, MARCH 09, 2026 CSR IN ASPIRATIONAL AREAS QUESTION 2545: Shri Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor: Will the Minister of Corporate Affairs be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has issued any new guidelines to prioritise Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending in aspirational and tribal areas particularly in Gujarat, if so, the details thereof; (b) the amount of funds sanctioned and utilized under CSR in Gujarat during the year 2024-26; and (c) whether the Government is encouraging local industries to increase CSR investments in education, health and digital infrastructure projects and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS [SHRI HARSH MALHOTRA] (a): No Sir. The Government has not issued any new guidelines in this regard. (b): In the legal framework of CSR, there is no provision of sanction of CSR funds. (c): Under the Act, CSR is a Board driven process and the Board of the company is empowered to plan, decide, execute and monitor CSR activities of the company based on the recommendation of its CSR Committee. The Government does not issue any specific direction to the companies to spend in any particular geographical area or activity. *****