Shri. Pankaj Kumar Kamalia is the Chief Operations Officer of Gujarat CSR Authority.

GCSRA was set up by the Government of Gujarat in 2014. Gujarat CSR Authority helps public and private sector companies optimally utilise the CSR funds, and also contribute to the welfare of the state. The purpose of the organisation is to manage the CSR funds and coordinate, monitor and implement the various CSR activities in the state.

GCSRA provides support to the companies and PSUs in development of CSR strategy and Annual Plan. It also offers training and capacity building support on a common platform to corporate, government agencies, NGOs and civil society members to share their expectations, aspirations and responsibilities to implement various projects.

In an exclusive interview, Shri. Pankaj Kumar shares with Marie Banu about GCSR programmes.

What is the CSR spend for companies in Gujarat?

Under section 135, CSR rules, on an average, 12,000 crore rupees are spent every year by companies on CSR. Education Sector received the maximum funding (38% of total) followed by hunger, Poverty and health care (25 %), Environment & Sustainability (12%) and Rural development (11%). 

Gujarat has consistently been in the top 5 states in both allocating and attracting CSR funds. Gujarat along with Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu has received approximately 40% of CSR funds in the country. Gujarat contribution for CSR is steadily increasing from year 2014 to 17.  The contribution of CSR funds accounted during the period  2014-2019 is Rs. 3,569 Crore.

What are the key CSR programmes in Gujarat?

Since its inception, GCSRA envisioned to not only act as a means to social development but also serve as replicable models that can be adopted and improved across the state benefitting thousands of people.

GCSRA focuses programs on skill development and special children and have been instrumental in empowering individuals and providing sustainable livelihood opportunities. At GCSRA, we believe that the synergy between economic and social development is the key for a sustainable future. Our progress in facilitating initiatives that catalyse social change would not have been possible without the generous support of our partners. 

Please tell us about the Machine Hole Robot and its functions.

Machinehole robot is made from India to promote the Mantra of Atma Nibhar Bharat. It is a multi-utility robot that can be utilised for sewerage man hole cleaning, rescue operations and for agriculture purpose. The entire project is conceptualized and monitored by Gujarat CSR Authority (GCSRA) while the financial support has been provided by DGVCL.

The robot is  solar powered battery based and  can work up to 7 days in single charge. It is fully water proof and can work in any environment.

It is integrated with12 Type of GAS detection sensors, and alerts while detecting gas from chambers. It can collect up to 100Kg sludge at a time and can dive up to 15 Meters. As it is GSM enabled, the Robot can be tracked remotely. It has a live monitoring camera, Ultra HD Color Image in Night.

GCSRA has handed over the two solar operated Machinehole Robot along with electric cart to Surat Municipal Corporation on 25th May 2021.

How effective are the 3 robotic nurses deployed at SMIMER Hospital?

The Robot Nurse and Temperature Scanning device, donated by L&T, have been extremely helpful to hospital and Medical Staff at SMIMER Hospital. It has lessened contact between medical staff and patients, thereby significantly decreasing chances of Covid Infection among our frontline medical workers.

The screening device has been placed at the entry gate and has proved to be crucial in developing a culture of self-assessment. Service Robot Nurses has benefited more than 700 Patients at SMIMER Hospital so far. 

Any notable entrepreneurship programmes initiated by GCSRA that you wish to share?

GCSRA had initiated multiple entrepreneurship programmes especially related to income generation programmes for rural people.  One of the notable programmes is the Community Help Desk.

Help Desks with basic infrastructural requirements such as Computer, Printer, Scanner and working internet connection have been set-up in the intervention areas to facilitate and ensure effective coordination of the programmes.

As per the internal feasibility study of this project at GCSRA, it is estimated that facilitation support of corporates who run CSR Projects can bring wonderful results as the cost to cover one household is around Rs. 1200/- and the amount of Scheme benefits to one household ranges from Rs. 500 to Rs. 2.4 Lakhs. The cost benefit analysis of the project has made this project a replicable model across various geographies in the State.  

The “Rural Entrepreneurs (Tissue Culture Plants)” was implemented in different phases. A total of 30 Agri-entrepreneurs were selected from major Banana growing districts, such as Valsad, Navsari, Surat, Tapi, Chhotaudepur, Bharuch, Panchmahal, and Narmada. An in-depth training and Technical knowledge was imparted at the high-quality tissue culture lab. The cost economics of the project estimates the Agri-entrepreneurs to  earn Rs.30,000 in the first year and Rs 1 Lakh until the third year. These high earning projections has made this project viable. 

Another notable Project is the ‘Promotion of Agri Entrepreneurs (Tool Bank)’. Tribal farmers have small farmlands and lack modern agriculture equipment, which sometimes make the process labour intensive. Now, with the tool bank, they are able to use farm equipment, which they could not afford earlier.

The small tractors with agri-equipment is the most feasible and affordable alternative to small and marginal farmers. The Agri-entripreneurs were able to recover the cost of the tractor and repay their loan.