Corporate Governance Symposium - Series 4: Effective CSR and Sustainability Committee

The mandate of CSR under Section 135 of Companies Act 2013 has been aligned with national priorities including- education, public health, water conservation, livelihood, natural resource management whereas, identification of more such priority areas for inclusion in the list is still evolving. The subject has gained attention for national interest and has become a familiar for debate and discussions amongst researchers, organizations, and standard setters on its potential role, and the responsibility of the corporate sector in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Also, the stakeholders are increasingly becoming more aware of its importance, particularly concerning its role in ensuring a proper balance in the long run between the commercial viability of a firm and its loyalty to society.

In context of CSR and ESG, there are a variety of issues and challenges being faced by corporate boards which include (i) Several companies not reporting on constitution of committee; (ii) high transaction costs faced by the companies with low prescribed budget in forming a standalone CSR committee for monitoring purposes; (iii) disclosure of information; (iv) effectiveness of committees on achieving compliance with standards; (v) issues related to formulation and monitoring of the Policy of the company from time to time, etc. The board committees need to take a holistic and comprehensive view while addressing these issues and challenges in accordance with recent amendments in the Companies Act, 2013 and subordinate legislations keeping in mind emerging themes such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Social Enterprises, Business and Human Rights, etc as well as BRSR.

In view of emerging trends, impact of the recent amendments related to CSR as well as challenges being faced by them in framing, implementing, and oversighting of the policies and role in strengthening the overall corporate governance frameworks in the organizations, ASSOCHAM is organizing the Corporate Governance (Virtual) Symposium - Series 4 Effective CSR and Sustainability Committee on Thursday, 27th January 2022.

The conference will be deliberated by eminent speakers and participants from the government, regulators, corporate governance practitioners, CSR and sustainability professionals, directors on board of corporates, members of the professional institutions, CFOs, legal heads, compliance heads, among others.

We take this opportunity to invite your esteemed organization to join us as a partner and nominate the experts as speakers, and delegates to attend the conference.