CSR funds must be used for rural govt schools: Karnataka CM

Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar warned industrialists and private educational institutions to invest CSR funds in rural government schools.

The state has around Rs 10,000 crore in CSR funds; a dedicated team will monitor spending to prevent misuse.

CM urged private schools to adopt rural government schools, threatening fee caps if they do not comply.

FKCCI data shows Karnataka received Rs 8,900 crore in CSR funds over five years, but 64.9% lacked district tagging in FY 2023/24.

CSR consultant Shan Bhogue noted that enforcing investment in rural areas is difficult under Section 135 of the Companies Act, which only requires preference to local areas.