Shillong, Oct 27: The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, organised a one-day Capacity Building Programme on Governance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) recently at Shillong, Meghalaya.
Organised by the School of Business Environment (SBE), IICA, for the Meghalaya Integrated Development Centre of Excellence (MiDCE) nested under IICA Shillong, the programme was facilitated by the Department of Commerce & Industries and the Department of Planning, Investment Promotion & Sustainable Development, Government of Meghalaya.
The programme was organised under the leadership of Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director General & CEO, IICA, with the objective of strengthening CSR governance and promoting a strategic approach to CSR planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, in alignment with the development priorities of Meghalaya and the wider North-Eastern region.
The Government of Meghalaya played an important role in facilitating the programme through its concerned departments. The initiative reflects the importance of collaboration between the State Government and specialised national institutions in strengthening institutional capacities and promoting development-oriented CSR initiatives.
The establishment of MiDCE by the Government of Meghalaya under IICA Shillong, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, provides an institutional platform for engagement among government departments, corporates and other development stakeholders.
Delivering the keynote address, Shri M. L. Wanshnong, Director, Directorate of Industries, Government of Meghalaya, highlighted the potential of CSR as a strategic partnership for the State’s development.
He emphasised that industrial growth and social development are interconnected objectives and that corporate resources, expertise, technology and innovation can contribute meaningfully to the aspirations of the people of Meghalaya.
Shri Wanshnong observed that Meghalaya’s rich natural resources, entrepreneurial communities, cultural heritage and young population provide significant opportunities for inclusive economic growth.
He underscored that the success of industrial development should be assessed not only in terms of investments attracted, but also through the livelihoods created, capabilities strengthened and communities empowered.
Highlighting key areas for corporate collaboration, he identified skill development and youth employability, entrepreneurship and local enterprise development, women’s empowerment and community livelihoods, and environmental sustainability as important areas where eligible CSR initiatives can complement the State’s development priorities.
He noted that corporate participation in industry-oriented training, vocational education, entrepreneurship, local enterprise development and environmental sustainability initiatives can help strengthen livelihood opportunities and support inclusive growth, subject to the applicable CSR framework.
Shri Sanjay Gupta, Regional Director, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India delivered Special address and emphasised the importance of effective governance of CSR in promoting inclusive and sustainable development in the North Eastern Region.
Highlighting the region’s rich cultural diversity, ecological significance and development potential, he underscored the need for CSR initiatives to address local priorities.
He also called upon corporates to enhance their engagement with remote and underserved communities across the North Eastern States, ensuring that CSR interventions are aligned with local needs and contribute to equitable regional development.
Emphasising the importance of collaboration among corporates, government institutions, implementing agencies and civil society organisations, he stated that effective CSR governance can play a significant role in strengthening community participation and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
He urged all stakeholders to view the North Eastern Region as an area of immense potential and opportunity, where responsible corporate engagement can contribute meaningfully to inclusive growth and the broader vision of national development.
In her special address, Prof. Garima Dadhich, Head, School of Business Environment, IICA, highlighted the role of SBE in supporting corporates in the areas of ESG, CSR and responsible business conduct.
She emphasised the importance of enabling corporates to strengthen their understanding of responsible business practices and supporting them in translating regulatory requirements and sustainability priorities into effective strategies and implementation approaches.
Prof. Dadhich also highlighted the development potential of Meghalaya and the wider North-Eastern region, underscoring the importance of approaches that respond to local contexts and community needs.
She emphasised the role of institutional capacity building, knowledge support and stakeholder collaboration in strengthening responsible business practices and enhancing the development impact of corporate initiatives.
In his Special address, Shri Debarun Kalita, Officer on Special Duty, IICA Shillong, highlighted the significance of IICA’s regional presence through IICA Shillong. He emphasised the role of IICA Shillong in bridging the gap between national-level expertise and regional development priorities by facilitating engagement among government institutions, the corporate sector and other stakeholders.
The regional presence of IICA provides an opportunity to strengthen coordination, promote knowledge-sharing and encourage collaborative approaches to addressing the development needs of the North-East.
The technical sessions covered the fundamentals of CSR in India, the legal framework and compliance requirements, leveraging CSR for North-East development priorities, CSR planning and execution, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, and the role of stakeholders in building effective CSR partnerships.
The sessions were led by Prof. Garima Dadhich, Head, School of Business Environment (SBE), IICA; Ms. Shubhangi Singh, Senior Research Associate, SBE, IICA; and Ms. Annu Yadav, Senior Research Associate, SBE, IICA. Ms. Sangeeta Boruah also contributed to the programme.
The sessions focused on strengthening participants’ understanding of CSR governance and promoting practical approaches to project planning, implementation, monitoring and stakeholder engagement.
The deliberations highlighted the importance of aligning CSR initiatives with local development needs, strengthening project design and implementation, and establishing appropriate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess outcomes.
The programme also emphasised the role of government departments, companies, implementing agencies and communities in developing effective partnerships and promoting accountability in CSR initiatives.
The relevance of CSR for Meghalaya and the wider North-Eastern region was a key focus of the programme. The region’s distinct geographical and socio-economic context underscores the importance of locally responsive development interventions and coordinated stakeholder engagement.
Effective CSR planning can support eligible initiatives in areas such as education, healthcare, skill development, livelihood promotion and environmental sustainability, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, and the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014.
Through IICA Shillong and the School of Business Environment, IICA seeks to strengthen institutional collaboration and capacity building in the region and promote a more coordinated, strategic and outcome-oriented approach to CSR.
The programme reinforces IICA’s commitment, under the leadership of Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director General & CEO, to advancing responsible business conduct and supporting inclusive and sustainable development through institutional engagement and knowledge-based interventions.
