(a) whether the Government has proposed special incentives for companies to invest CSR Funds in National Heritage development;
(b) the amount of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds on National Heritage development during the financial years 2017-18 to 2019-20 especially in Bhandara and Gondiya districts of the state of
Maharashtra;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
Minister of State (IC) for Culture & Tourism
(Shri Prahlad Singh Patel)
(a) The Government of India has set up National Culture Fund (NCF) as a Trust under the Charitable Endowment Act, 1890 through a Gazette Notification published in the Gazette of India 28th November, 1996. The Fund enables institutions and individuals to support arts and culture directly as partners with its government and serves as a funding mechanism distinct from the existing sources and patterns of funding for the arts and culture in India. All contributions to NCF are given 100% tax exemption under Section 80 G (2) of the Income Tax Act of 1961.
Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 (‘Act’) enlists the activities which may be included by companies in their CSR policy. ‘National Heritage’ falls under item (v) of Schedule VII of the Act which reads as “Protection of national heritage, art and culture including restoration of building and sites of historical importance and works of art; setting up public libraries; promotion and development of traditional arts and handicrafts;”.
(b) to (d) On the basis of filings made by the companies in MCA 21 registry, the CSR amount spent by companies under item (v) of Schedule VII of the Act in the state of Maharashtra is Rs.68,30,44,000 and Rs.5,00,000 in Bhandara district of the state of Maharashtra as on 31.03.2020.