StatesKarnataka
Karnataka to set up a framework steering global capability centres' CSR money
IT Minister Priyank Kharge told GCC leaders in Bengaluru the state would help them find the right departments, procedures and approvals for social projects.
Key points
- Karnataka will build a structured framework for GCCs to work with state departments on CSR.
- Kharge asked companies to name the areas and communities they want to support.
- Education, skilling, water and sustainability are among the suggested sectors.
Karnataka will build a formal framework to help global capability centres work with state government departments on their corporate social responsibility projects, IT and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge said in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
Speaking at the GCC CSR Leadership Forum, organised by SoulAce at The Oberoi, Kharge said the framework would help companies identify the right departments, understand procedures and get approvals.
“GCCs have the willingness and resources to contribute to Karnataka’s development,” he said. “We will work on a more structured approach to connect their CSR priorities with the needs of the state. This will help turn corporate intent into meaningful initiatives with measurable impact on the ground.”
Kharge asked the centres to tell the government which areas and communities they want to support, so it could arrange targeted partnerships. He listed education, skilling, livelihoods, water management, nutrition and community development, along with energy efficiency, renewable energy, urban wastewater, public infrastructure and arts and culture. He urged companies to pilot solutions from start-ups and industry and scale up the ones that work, and to build safeguards for data privacy and cybersecurity into any technology projects.
Examples raised at the forum included about 1,000 refurbished computers redistributed to grassroots offices and hostels, and an eye-testing drive that reached more than 2 lakh people. SoulAce also released its report, State of CSR in India’s GCCs 2025-26.
No budget or start date for the framework was announced.