A Review of CSR Activities of Four Public Sector Enterprises in Energy and Power Sector in India

India is at crossroads with regards to its economic and social development. Once a cornerstone of Indian economic development, the 249 Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) are still playing a vital role in social and economic development. With a paid up capital of Rs 1,480,000 million as on March 2010 their combined turnover was Rs 12,340,000 million with contributions of Rs 1,390,000 million to the central exchequer by way of excise duty, customs and others in 2009-10. These CPSE’s are “forced” to spend certain percentage of their net profits on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. Using secondary data, this paper analyses various dimensions of CSR activities of four key CPSEs. Critical observations are made and recommended to enhance the effectiveness of CSR programs as mandated by department of public enterprise (DPE) in its policy guidelines in April 2010