Gurugram, Faridabad Gets Major Share of CSR Funds; Backward Districts Lag Far Behind

Haryana's already-developed NCR districts, Gurugram and Faridabad, continue to dominate the distribution of corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds. Together, they accounted for nearly 54% of CSR expenditure within the state in 2023-24, higher than the over 51% reported the previous year. This leaves backward districts with minimal resources despite greater developmental needs.

Growing Disparity

In 2022-23, Haryana's total CSR spent was Rs 720.38 crore; of this, Gurugram received Rs 291.71 crore, or 40%, while Faridabad garnered Rs 77.49 crore, or almost 11%. Together, these two districts accounted for Rs 369.20 crore.

The trend intensified in 2023-24, with combined Gurugram-Faridabad spending rising sharply to Rs 439.54 crore out of total Rs 816.95 crore, maintaining their 54% share. Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra shared these details responding to an unstarred question by Hisar MP Jai Parkash during Parliament's winter session.

Backward Districts Neglected

Less privileged districts, in sharp contrast, received negligible allocations. Palwal, despite location in the NCR, received only a drastically reduced Rs 0.05 crore or a minuscule 0.006% of 2023-24 total expenditure, from Rs 0.60 crore (0.08%) in 2022-23. Kaithal fared no better with a share of Rs 0.53 crore or 0.07% in 2022-23 and Rs 1.26 crore or 0.15% in 2023-24. Even Nuh, arguably one of the most backward districts in India, witnessed its share decline from Rs 51.49 crore or 7% in 2022-23 to Rs 24.22 crore or nearly 3% in the next year.

Sub-Rs 10 Crore Allotments

Several districts attracted minimal allocations in 2022-23: Jind Rs 2.48 crore, Mahendragarh Rs 3.82 crore, Kurukshetra Rs 4.69 crore, Bhiwani Rs 5.86 crore, Fatehabad Rs 6.52 crore, Sirsa Rs 6.62 crore and Yamunanagar Rs 7.49 crore. 

Districts that received less than Rs 10 crore in 2023-24 included Jhajjar with Rs 1.82 crore, Kurukshetra Rs 3.31 crore, Mahendragarh Rs 3.98 crore, Yamunanagar Rs 5.14 crore, Sirsa Rs 5.55 crore, Bhiwani Rs 7.72 crore, and Fatehabad Rs 7.77 crore.

Moderate Beneficiaries

Districts with relatively higher 2023-24 allocations include Karnal ₹ 11.72 crore, Rohtak ₹ 14.36 crore, Ambala ₹ 15.15 crore, Panchkula ₹ 20.71 crore, Panipat ₹ 28.5 crore, Hisar ₹ 38.48 crore, Jhajjar ₹ 38.74 crore, and Sonepat ₹ 42.65 crore.

Sectoral Distribution

The education and health sectors continued to get the biggest share, accounting for 51% at Rs 367.35 crore in 2022-23, which increased to 52% at Rs 422.34 crore in 2023-24. This concentration invites examination of the mechanisms of CSR fund distribution and whether current frameworks address the issue of regional disparity.