Indian consumers pay extra for ‘responsible’ brands?
In an interesting research, it is found that that 55 per cent of Asia Pacific (APAC) consumers will not mind paying extra for products and services of companies that have credible corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes and engage in activities that give back to
Bandhua 1947: Advocacy campaign against bonded labour system
A national-level advocacy campaign – Bandhua 1947 – has been launched to mobilize people against the bonded labour system. The campaign will also urge the government to strengthen the Bonded Labour Abolition Act through amendments. ‘Even after 65 years of Independence, hundreds and
Human Rights: Clean investigation sought in Eelam War; WB unit not educating; AP forum against mining; Officers trained in Karnataka
India has asked Sri Lanka to develop ‘independent, credible as well as transparent mechanism to investigate allegations of human rights violations that were reported during the end of Eelam War IV. Colombo has also been asked to give a deadline for the presentation
CSR: Companies failing to spend ‘mandatory’ sum will not be penalized
The much-talked-about Companies Bill 2011, which has finally been introduced in the Parliament, has strict expenditure and disclosure guidelines for corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of companies. Despite major protests by corporate groups, the bill makes disclosure of CSR spend mandatory for companies
Companies may not fear CSR Section 135; it is just an ‘oversight clause’
Addressing a question on how intensely will the new Section 135, which is part of Companies Bill 2011, affect management of companies, ‘union corporate affairs minister Veerappa Moily said, ‘We are not interested in micro-management of a company. It is (section 135) just
Climate change: Finally, something happened in Durban
There were several hundred negotiators, each with dozens of conditions and thousands of opinions, but all agreed to one point: that the world is getting warmer, the environment’s resilience is depleting, and ‘something’ needs to be done on an urgent basis. The major
Kolkata hospital fire: A serious case of neglected corporate responsibility
On paper, Advanced Medicare and Research Institute’s (AMRI) vision is/was to be cherished as the best place to come for care and the best place to work. The ‘corporate governance‘ section, among other things, on the hospital’s website says this: AMRI is committed
Fat of the matter
Obesity is big: physically, of course, but also in terms of business for multinationals peddling instantly gratifying junk and pharmaceutical biggies telling the cure. Obesity is bad for individuals who are, well, obese: it decreases productivity and increases the risk of heart disease,
CSR of ports to negate their social and environmental impacts
In a communiqué to all government-run ports, the shipping ministry said, ‘Considering the economic, social and environmental impact the activities of ports have on the society and the environment, it is felt that the ports should serve the interests of the society by
Companies selected to complete first phase of India solar mission
About 22 alternate energy companies have been shortlisted to set up solar energy-based power plants in India by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd, a unit of state-run power utility NTPC Ltd. NTPC is entrusted to award the projects. France’s Fonroche Energy and Solairedirect Group are