New Delhi: Corporate Affairs Minister Salman
Khurshid on Sunday asked India Inc to expand their social welfare
measures into backward areas, including the Naxal-hit
districts, to help check violence and disruptive activities.
"In any area that is backward and distressed, and any
subject which is a concern to all, to the humanity, I would
urge greater corporate social responsibility (CSR)," Khurshid
said, adding he would urge greater corporate intervention
towards inclusive growth not only in the Naxal-affected areas
but also in all poor regions.
To a query whether there is a link between the rising
Naxal violence and lack of CSR, he said hunger and frustration
can lead to all kind of violent, non-constructive behaviour.
"I think, it is for the experts to work out both in the
ministries concerned as well as social experts what exactly is
the nature of the problem and to address them collectively,"
he said, adding it is not always only economic deprivation
that leads to unrest as very rapid development can also result
in disruptive activities as happened in Punjab in the 1980s.
"Believe me, unrest is not always because of deprivation.
Sometimes unrest can be caused by other things too, very rapid
development can also cause unrest, it happened in Punjab. Let`s
leave it to experts to see what`s the cause of unrest in specific cases and get it addressed," Khurshid said.
In an increasing spate of violence by Left wing ultras,
the Maoist attack derailed a Maharashtra-bound express train
yesterday, killing over 140 passengers and injuring 200
others. In April they had butchered 78 CRPF men and early this
month over 45 civilians at Dhantewada in Chhattisgarh.
In December last year, the MCA introduced voluntary
CSR guidelines for companies. The minister has also mooted the
idea of an exchange for trading CSR credits on the lines of
carbon-credit trading.
On affirmative action by corporates, he said such
interventions relate to the SCs, STS and not OBCs, and is
directly handled by the PMO.
It can be noted that recently, Social Justice Minister
Mukul Wasnik had expressed concern at lack of movement in
bringing affirmative action to the private sector.
"I believe Wasnik said we haven`t done enough affirmative
action. Obviously I don`t think anyone can say that enough has
been done. Things are beginning to happen, it is a voluntary
thing, it is not a mandatory thing...If there is anything that
we can do, we will certainly come on the board," he said.
Khurshid also said he is personally encouraging people to
move forward on affirmative action, not only for SCS and STs
but for all socially and educationally backward groups. He
said the government is committed to do as much as it can both
in terms of education and employment for the backward groups.
"Since everything is not possible through reservations, we
are looking beyond reservations as to how, on a voluntary
basis, affirmative action can be done, he said.
PTI
