Dear Sir,
Good Morning.
Does CSR comes under RTI Act ?
Regards
Sanjay Kishore Vaishnav
Accounts Officer
Ambuja Cement Foundation
Opposite Railway Station,
Marwar Mundwa – 341026
District – Nagaur (Rajasthan)
Application of RTI on CSR would depend upon whose CSR programme it is. As public sector enterprises fall within the ambit of RTI, whether Central or State, their CSR programmes would also be covered by RTI.
Further while private corporates are not per se covered by RTI, however as per opinion of an ex Chief Information Commissioner, RTI can be extended to public documents submitted by corporates.
Dear Sanjay,
As per the RTI Act, a “public authority” is :
1. Any authority or body or institution of self government established or constituted by or under the Constitution; or by any other law made by the Parliament or a State Legislature; or by notification issued or order made by the Central Government or a State Government.
2. The bodies owned, controlled or substantially financed by the Central Government or a State Government and non-Government organisations substantially financed by the Central Government or a State Government also fall within the definition of public authority. The financing of the body or the NGO by the Government may be direct or indirect.
The term “substantially financed” is subjective as this has not been defined in the Act. From the definition, to my understanding, CSR will not fall under the ambit of RTI unless they are funded by Government owned enterprises.
More clarity on the issue will be appreciated.
Thanks and regards,
B V Soma Sastry