CSR Policy
Preamble
The Murugappa Group is known for its tradition of philanthropy and community service. The Group’s philosophy is to reach out to the community by establishing service-oriented philanthropic institutions in the field of education and healthcare as the core focus areas
Sterling Abrasives Limited “The Company” has been uploading the Group’s tradition by earmarking a part of its income for carrying out its social responsibilities. We believe that social responsibility is not just a corporate obligation that has to be carried out but it is one’s dharma. Therefore, our philanthropic endeavours are a reflection of our spiritual conscience and this provides us a way to discharge our responsibilities to the various sections of the society
Corporate Social Responsibility Purpose Statement
The Company shall seek to impact the lives of the disadvantaged by supporting and engaging in activities that aim to improve their wellbeing. We are dedicated to the cause of empowering people, educating them and in improving their quality of life. While we will undertake programmes based on the identified needs of the community, education and healthcare shall remain our priority. Across the different programme areas identified by the company, it would be our endeavour to reach the disadvantaged and the marginalised sections of the society to make a meaningful impact on their lives
We are committed to identifying and supporting programmes aimed at:
• Empowerment of the disadvantaged sections of the society through education, access to and awareness about financial services and the like;
• Provision of access to basic necessities like healthcare, drinking water & sanitation and the like to the underpriveliged;
• Work towards eradicating hunger and poverty, through livelihood generation and skill development;
• Supporting environmental and ecological balance through afforestation, soil conservation, rain water harvesting, conservation of flora & fauna, and similar programme;
• Promotion of rural sports, nationally recognized sports, paralympic sports and Olympic sports through training of sportspersons;
• Undertake rural development projects;
• Any other programme that falls under our CSR purpose including those listed in schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 as may be amended from time to time and is aimed at the empowerment of disadvantaged sections of the society.
Scope
This policy will apply to all projects/programmes undertaken as part the Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility and will be developed, reviewed and updated periodically with reference to relevant changes in corporate governance, international standards and sustainable and innovative practices. The policy will maintain compliance and alignment with the activities listed in Schedule VII and Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013 and the rules framed thereunder
Governance
The approval of the CSR policy and oversight is the responsibility of the Company’s Board of Directors. The responsibility of the CSR committee is to formulate the policy and to administer the policy through implementing partner(s) or via self-implementation. The CSR Committee shall provide guidelines for projects/partner selection to the respective HR or CSR teams, wherever applicable. The CSR committee is to ensure that projects/programmes are compliant with regulations and are monitored and reported effectively.
As the Company’s CSR activities evolve, the policy may be revised by the CSR committee and approved by the Board of Directors
CSR Expenditure
The CSR Committee shall recommend to the Board the amount of expenditure to be incurred on the CSR activities to be undertaken by the company as approved by the Board.
In case of any surplus arising out of CSR projects, the same shall not form part of business profits of the Company.
Implementation
The Company shall undertake CSR project/programmes identified by the CSR Committee and approved by the Board of Directors in line with the CSR Policy.
The Company shall implement its CSR programmes/projects:
a) Through an implementation partner that can be a public charitable trust or a society registered under applicable Acts or a Company registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013; or
b) On its own, through the relevant HR or CSR department or
c) through its own foundation (if applicable) specifically created for implementing its CSR initiatives.
The Company may enter into partnerships or alliances with NGOs, Trusts, or other Corporate Foundations etc. to effectively implement its
CSR programmes/projects
The Company can also implement programme in collaboration with other company(ies), if permissible and feasible in such a manner that the CSR Committee is in a position to report separately on such projects / programs.
The Company shall formulate criteria and procedure for selection, screening and due diligence of its implementing partners.
Monitoring and Reporting
The CSR Committee will oversee the implementation and monitoring of all CSR projects/ programmes and periodic reports shall be provided for review to the Board.
The Company will institute a well-defined, transparent monitoring and review mechanism to ensure that each CSR project/programme has:
1. Clear objectives developed out of the societal needs that may be determined through need assessment studies and research (secondary or primary);
2. Clear targets, time lines and measureable indicators, wherever possible;
3. A progress monitoring and reporting framework that is aligned with the requirements of Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013 and the CSR Rules