Abu Metha with MHA and HCL Foundation officials and others in Kohima on April 30. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 30
Officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, and HCL Foundation are currently in Kohima for a two-day capacity-building training programme on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), its compliance, and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), which commenced on April 30.
The programme, curated by the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) in collaboration with MHA and HCL Foundation, is designed for state government departments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Over the two days, participants will be trained on the evolution of CSR in India, eligible CSR activities, compliance and legal requirements, CSR rules and amendments, policy formation, drafting of CSR proposals, and case studies of successful projects.
Advisor to the Chief Minister and Chairman of IDAN, Abu Metha, who graced the inaugural session as special guest, said the training was initiated following the Chief Minister’s suggestion to strengthen the capacity of government departments and NGOs on CSR dynamics.
He thanked MHA and HCL Foundation for partnering with the state and supporting its development aspirations. Stressing the importance of CSR activities, Metha said that even pitching for CSR initiatives, ensuring compliance and handling paperwork remain major challenges.
He expressed hope that the workshop would help adopt best practices and ensure minimum standards. Emphasising a unified approach, he said government departments must work towards the common goal of development and ensure that policies reach grassroots and targeted sections.
Metha suggested that major departments, particularly in health, education and social services, should establish dedicated CSR cells to facilitate developmental initiatives and social impact programmes. He also noted the availability of opportunities for foreign funding under FCRA, while cautioning against misuse and stressing the need for monitoring and compliance.
Highlighting regional disparities, he said while Kohima and Dimapur districts have seen better development, interior and backward areas continue to face deficits in connectivity and access to basic services.
He added that despite its small size, Nagaland has made significant contributions to nation-building and has a vibrant and capable youth population.
‘NGOs a crucial means of delivering services to remote areas’
Addressing the session, Deputy Secretary, MHA, O P Singh, said NGOs have become a crucial means of delivering services to remote areas. He noted that around 3.3 million NGOs are registered in India, outnumbering educational institutions.
Singh said the ministry has a dedicated team to facilitate outreach programmes for NGOs, especially in regions where they play a key role in development initiatives.
Additional Secretary, Finance Department and IDAN, Vineet Kumar, said the training aims to strengthen institutional capacity of government departments and civil society organisations to meet current CSR standards.
He said understanding CSR and FCRA has become essential, and expressed optimism that the programme would create new opportunities for participating institutions.
Rahul Kumar, Manager, HCL Foundation, said his long association with Nagaland since 2010 has given him insight into grassroots realities. He expressed hope that the workshop would help NGOs address compliance challenges and access funding for development activities.
The inaugural session was compered by Dr Nchumbeni Ovung, while the vote of thanks was delivered by I Changsang, NCS, Under Secretary, IDAN.
Notably, the Nagaland State CSR Cell under IDAN has been established to promote convergence between corporate initiatives and local development needs, and to facilitate collaboration among government, private sector, NGOs and community organisations for effective utilisation of CSR funds.
