Lok Sabha Question No. 2495 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-13
Subject: Purchase of Vaccine through CSR Funds
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Brijendra Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2495 ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2021/ AGRAHAYANA 22, 1943 (SAKA)

## PURCHASE OF VACCINE THROUGH CSR FUNDS QUESTION

2495.  SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH: Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  plans  to  take/has  taken  steps  to  reduce  vaccine hesitancy in urban areas by suggesting corporates to encourage their employees to get the Covid-19 vaccination;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether the Government plans to issue guidelines to promote the purchase of vaccines on an urgent basis through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)  OF  THE  MINISTRY  OF  PLANNING  AND  MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

[RAO INDERJIT SINGH]

(a)  to  (c): As  per  the  inputs  provided  by  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare (MoH&FW), an advisory was issued by MoH&FW on 6 th  April, 2021 to all the States/UTs for establishing workplace COVID-19 Vaccination Centers (CVCs) at Government and Private  offices/establishments  with  an  aim  to  make  COVID-19  vaccination  more accessible to the employees of these organizations. Subsequently, MoH&FW issued further  advisories  on  19 th  May  and  21 st   May,  2021,  to  increase  the  eligibility  of vaccination in the workplace CVCs to people aged 18 years and above and family members  of  employees.  Further,  in  order  to  raise  awareness  about  COVID-19 vaccines, address vaccine hesitancy and sustain vaccine confidence, a communication strategy is in place. The detailed guideline on COVID-19 vaccination at work places issued on 7 th  April, 2021 are in public domain at:

https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforCOVID19VaccinationatWorkplace.pdf

Further, e-RUPI voucher system at Private CVCs, which facilitates redemption of UPI Prepaid Electronic Vouchers for COVID-19 vaccination, was launched on 2 nd  August, 2021 wherein CSR funds may be allocated for COVID-19 vaccination.

In so far as provisions under Companies Act, 2013 ('Act') are concerned, Schedule VII of  the  Act  indicates  the  eligible  list  of  activities  that  can  be  undertaken  by  the companies  as  Corporate  Social  Responsibility  (CSR).  The  Ministry  of  Corporate Affairs (MCA) vide General Circular no.10/2020 dated 23.03.2020 had clarified that CSR funds may be spent by the companies for various activities related to COVID-19. Subsequently, MCA vide General Circular no. 01/2021 dated 13.01.2021 had clarified that spending of CSR funds for carrying out awareness campaigns/programmes or public outreach campaigns on COVID-19 vaccination programme is an eligible CSR activity. Also, MCA vide General Circular no. 13/2021 dated 30.07.2021 had clarified that COVID-19 vaccination for persons other than the employees and their families, is an eligible CSR activity.

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