Corporate Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid today 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 told PTI, 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.
