Date:13/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/13/stories/2008101350020200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tirunelveli

Applications invited for corporate responsibility award

Staff Reporter

TIRUNELVELI: Companies, business establishments and industrial houses, which are actively involved in the community development have been asked to apply for the prestigious Corporate Social Responsibility Award for 2007– 2008.

In a statement, Collector G. Prakash said the State Government had instituted the award to honour the industrial, service and commercial establishments in private, public and joint sector, which are actively involved in various activities within the State as part of their corporate social responsibility to ensure social and economic uplift of the poor.

This award carries Rs. 5 lakh in cash and a certificate, and is to be given to five establishments every year from 2007 – 2008.

Companies, partnership firms, sole-proprietorship firms and government or quasi government undertakings as well as associations of industrial, service and commercial establishments can apply for this award. The establishments may operate directly or through trusts, non-governmental organisations or other agencies. However, exclusive trusts, NGOs and clubs are not eligible.

While awards will predominantly be conferred for good works undertaken in the area of rural development, commendable works in urban areas especially in urban slums will also be considered.

Activities such as promotion of agriculture, animal husbandry, education, health, sanitation, water supply, water harvesting, non-conventional energy, agricultural marketing, self-help groups and livelihood, women, children and youth welfare, tree plantation among others undertaken within Tamil Nadu between April 1, 2002 and March 31, 2007 will be considered for the award.

Activities for the promotion of social causes will also be considered. However, activities undertaken to promote religion will not be considered for the award.

Eligible institutions may send their application with complete details and supporting documents to the Commissioner of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Panagal Buildings, Saidapet, Chennai – 600 015 on or before October 31.

Application forms are available with the Commissioner of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, District Collectors and the website www.tnrd.gov.in, Mr. Prakash said.