CSR is not only Mandetory but an Obligation : Aadil Bhat
Srinagar, March 27: Recently, Rtd Justice Hasnain Masoodi, MLA Pampore, questioned the government about the accountability of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) of cement factories operating in khrew. In the statement, the elected government replied that while a mechanism is in place to ensure compliance with the company’s act and CSR policy rules 2014, the cement factories in khrew don’t meet the financial threshold that make CSR spending mandatory.
The house informed under section 135 of the company act, 2013, companies are required to undertake CSR activities if they have a net worth of Rs 500 Cr or more, a turnover of Rs 1000 Cr or more or net profit of Rs 5 Cr. The elected government claimed that none of the factories operating in khrew meet the mentioned criteria. However this statement sparked debates and massive outrages in the respective area.
Social activist/Local Resident Aadil Bhat, Who has been Actively Involved in The fight against the Dust Menace Caused by Cement Industries over the past decade or More & who with the Help of local Community was Able to Put a Stay on the Construction of New-Plants Including Kashmir Cements, has Strongly opposed the said statement & Refuted the Claims of Govt that factories being non eligible for the criteria of Companies Act, 2013, regarding the CSR Policy. He stated that the government doesn’t have informative data about turnover or revenue of the industries or factories running in J&K, as the data requires a huge amount of research and accountability, which is lacking in UT. “Referring to khrew industries, the State Owned Limestone they use in formation of cement is locally available which reaches factories in very less amount and doesn’t require much man force & much Cost”, How Can one Determine the Profit Now?, Aadil Said while Talking to the Srinagar Based News Agency – Kashmir Bulletein
Moreover, Aadil claimed that the locally available raw material including the limestone that factories get at peanut prices, after the production of cement, they generate enormous profit. Bhat stated that there exist the industrial setups who starts providing the CSR on 50% profit, as its a call of human ethics, with this argument Bhat demanded the CSR from the factories, as they operate freely and contribute to pollution and health hazards on a sizeable level, as the pollution from these setups have caused many pulmonary disease in the area and pollution have lead the soil of town to infertility and mostly it’s baren now!
On Being Asked regarding the Allowances of Cement Industries towards the Township, Aadil Stated that Among the Six Cement Industries Operating in the Town only 04 Cement Industries (Trumboo, Dawar, Cemtac, Valley Cements) are Contributing a Little Amount annually towards the Welfare of the Town. As the Govt Claimed that The Factories are Spending Crores on CSR Initiatives they Should Come up with Proof to Justify their Statement, Aadil Added.
At last, he informed about the current situation of the soil of the town which doesn’t produce any organic food materials and also doesn’t support the household economy, which becomes important and obligatory on the mega owners to pay CSR to the town. He also noted that mega owners acquired the land in khrew in 90s and factories flourished mostly under NC rule and the justice Is Yet to be Granted.(KB)
