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[The following
post is contributed by Prachi
Narayan and Swati Rampuria at
Vinod Kothari & Co. They can be contacted at prachi@vinodkothari.com
and swati@vinodkothari.com
respectively]
post is contributed by Prachi
Narayan and Swati Rampuria at
Vinod Kothari & Co. They can be contacted at prachi@vinodkothari.com
and swati@vinodkothari.com
respectively]
Introduction
Corporate social responsibility (‘CSR’) was made mandatory by Companies Act, 2013 (‘Act’). Al though it has been a year
since this concept has entered the Indian corporate regime, still there are
lurking questions with respect to CSR spending and its nature.
since this concept has entered the Indian corporate regime, still there are
lurking questions with respect to CSR spending and its nature.
This post is an attempt to throw further light upon
the nature of CSR spending whether the same is mandatory or not in light of the
provisions of the Act.
the nature of CSR spending whether the same is mandatory or not in light of the
provisions of the Act.
CSR
expenditure under the Act
expenditure under the Act
Section 135
(5) of the Act states that:
(5) of the Act states that:
The Board of every company referred to in sub-section
(1), shall ensure that the company spends, in every financial year, at least
two per cent of the average net profits of the company made during the three
immediately preceding financial years, in pursuance of its Corporate Social
Responsibility Policy:
(1), shall ensure that the company spends, in every financial year, at least
two per cent of the average net profits of the company made during the three
immediately preceding financial years, in pursuance of its Corporate Social
Responsibility Policy:
Provided that the company shall give preference to the
local area and areas around it where it operates, for spending the amount
earmarked for Corporate Social Responsibility activities:
local area and areas around it where it operates, for spending the amount
earmarked for Corporate Social Responsibility activities:
Provided further that if the company fails to spend such
amount, the Board shall, in its report made under clause (o) of sub-section (3)
of section 134, specify the reasons for not spending the amount.
amount, the Board shall, in its report made under clause (o) of sub-section (3)
of section 134, specify the reasons for not spending the amount.
Apparently,
the text of the section suggests that companies falling under section 135 (1)
of the Act have to ensure that the companies spend at least 2% of their average
net profit to society and in CSR activities. The reading of the section prima
facie makes it apparent that applicable companies are to ensure that the
stipulated expenditure in CSR activities is incurred.
the text of the section suggests that companies falling under section 135 (1)
of the Act have to ensure that the companies spend at least 2% of their average
net profit to society and in CSR activities. The reading of the section prima
facie makes it apparent that applicable companies are to ensure that the
stipulated expenditure in CSR activities is incurred.
The question that arises herein is whether such an act of
ensuring CSR expenditures, as envisaged under the regime of Companies Act,
2013, is in nature of a liability and thus is the company under an obligation
to create a provision or the intent is otherwise?
ensuring CSR expenditures, as envisaged under the regime of Companies Act,
2013, is in nature of a liability and thus is the company under an obligation
to create a provision or the intent is otherwise?
What is
liability?
liability?
Black’s law
dictionary defines ‘liability’ as:
dictionary defines ‘liability’ as:
“the state of being bound or obliged
in law or justice to do, pay, or make good something; legal responsibility.”
in law or justice to do, pay, or make good something; legal responsibility.”
Further,
‘liability’ as defined under Accounting Standard 29 means as follows:
‘liability’ as defined under Accounting Standard 29 means as follows:
“A liability is a present obligation
of the enterprise arising from past events, the settlement of which is expected
to result in an outflow from the enterprise of resources embodying economic
benefits.”
of the enterprise arising from past events, the settlement of which is expected
to result in an outflow from the enterprise of resources embodying economic
benefits.”
From conjoint
reading of the above, it is clear that a liability is:
reading of the above, it is clear that a liability is:
– A present
obligation in law;
obligation in law;
–
To do, pay or make good something;
To do, pay or make good something;
–
That results or is expected to result in expenditure.
That results or is expected to result in expenditure.
Applying a similar
principle to the section in question, on a prima facie reading it would appear
that companies are to ensure to spend the stipulated amount in CSR activities.
However, to ascertain whether such expenditure is mandatory or not one has to
closely see the provisos to the section also. The second proviso to the section
provides that if the company fails to spend
the required amount in CSR activities in any financial year, the board shall
specify reasons for such non-spending in its report.
principle to the section in question, on a prima facie reading it would appear
that companies are to ensure to spend the stipulated amount in CSR activities.
However, to ascertain whether such expenditure is mandatory or not one has to
closely see the provisos to the section also. The second proviso to the section
provides that if the company fails to spend
the required amount in CSR activities in any financial year, the board shall
specify reasons for such non-spending in its report.
The insertion of the proviso thus
helps to ascertain that the expenditure in CSR activities is not mandatory, if
the board has reasons enough to provide reasons for the same.
helps to ascertain that the expenditure in CSR activities is not mandatory, if
the board has reasons enough to provide reasons for the same.
The approach of the Act since its inception has been on lines of the
“comply or explain”- either the company complies with the provisions or has
reasoned explanations available for non-compliance. This holds true in the
current scenario too. In light of the second proviso, it can be fairly
established that the liability to spend in CSR activities does not in essence
remain a liability per se.
“comply or explain”- either the company complies with the provisions or has
reasoned explanations available for non-compliance. This holds true in the
current scenario too. In light of the second proviso, it can be fairly
established that the liability to spend in CSR activities does not in essence
remain a liability per se.
Having said
so, it would also be pertinent to evaluate whether a commitment to spend would
tantamount to liability. A commitment in general parlance means a “promise” or
“agreement” to do something. A promise made or an agreement to do something
would actually mean that the person making the promise binds itself or creates
an obligation on itself to do something, in essence creating a liability for itself.
so, it would also be pertinent to evaluate whether a commitment to spend would
tantamount to liability. A commitment in general parlance means a “promise” or
“agreement” to do something. A promise made or an agreement to do something
would actually mean that the person making the promise binds itself or creates
an obligation on itself to do something, in essence creating a liability for itself.
The company
can undertake CSR activities either by itself or through third parties. Any
agreement or promise by the company to invest in certain identified CSR
activities or any agreement or promise made to a third party to undertake such
activities through that entity would qualify as a commitment made by the
company with respect to such activities and hence a liability for the company.
can undertake CSR activities either by itself or through third parties. Any
agreement or promise by the company to invest in certain identified CSR
activities or any agreement or promise made to a third party to undertake such
activities through that entity would qualify as a commitment made by the
company with respect to such activities and hence a liability for the company.
Creation of provision for CSR spending
Once having identified the nature of the liability, a
question that would arise is whether it is necessary to create a provision for
such liability?
question that would arise is whether it is necessary to create a provision for
such liability?
‘Provision’ as defined under Accounting Standard 29 means:
“A provision is a liability which can be measured only by using a substantial degree
of estimation”.
of estimation”.
Thus, when a
liability is measured or estimated a provision is created, the essential
ingredients being:
liability is measured or estimated a provision is created, the essential
ingredients being:
– Presence of
a liability; and
a liability; and
– Measured by
using substantial degree of estimation.
using substantial degree of estimation.
Thus, creation
of provisions would come into picture where there is an identified liability
which is mandatory in nature and that the only way to measure such a liability
is by way of estimation.
of provisions would come into picture where there is an identified liability
which is mandatory in nature and that the only way to measure such a liability
is by way of estimation.
Applying
similar analogy to expenditure of CSR activities, the need for creation of
provision would arise (a) when the CSR expenditure is liability; (b) where such
a liability has been estimated.
similar analogy to expenditure of CSR activities, the need for creation of
provision would arise (a) when the CSR expenditure is liability; (b) where such
a liability has been estimated.
In light of
the above discussions, it has been established that CSR expenditure in essence
is not in nature of liability per se as the company always has the option of
not actually spending in CSR activities by way of disclosure in board’s report.
Since the same is not in nature of ‘liability’, provisions created in pursuance
may also not be required. Assuming, the company has created a provision, then
the company shall use the same in spending towards CSR activities, unless the
company has reasonable justification for not utilizing the same.
the above discussions, it has been established that CSR expenditure in essence
is not in nature of liability per se as the company always has the option of
not actually spending in CSR activities by way of disclosure in board’s report.
Since the same is not in nature of ‘liability’, provisions created in pursuance
may also not be required. Assuming, the company has created a provision, then
the company shall use the same in spending towards CSR activities, unless the
company has reasonable justification for not utilizing the same.
Conclusion
The carve-out
as provided under the second proviso to section 135 could become potential tool
of misuse to evade CSR expenditure. Each time the company does not spend, the
only compliance required would be a disclosure in board’s report. The
non-spending and reporting thereof has to be used in a bona fide manner and the
company should not make it a practice of evading from spending towards CSR
activity. The company should use the tool of reporting in the board’s report in
a reasonable and sensible manner that is to say only when the Company genuinely
is not being able to spend. Thus, at some point of time the company shall
actually spend the amount towards CSR.
as provided under the second proviso to section 135 could become potential tool
of misuse to evade CSR expenditure. Each time the company does not spend, the
only compliance required would be a disclosure in board’s report. The
non-spending and reporting thereof has to be used in a bona fide manner and the
company should not make it a practice of evading from spending towards CSR
activity. The company should use the tool of reporting in the board’s report in
a reasonable and sensible manner that is to say only when the Company genuinely
is not being able to spend. Thus, at some point of time the company shall
actually spend the amount towards CSR.
– Prachi Narayan & Swati
Rampuria
Rampuria
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