CII seeks additional CSR levy of 1% in the budget to finance COVID booster shots
New Delhi:
Industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has suggested that in addition to the mandatory 2 per cent corporate social responsibility (CSR) levy, an additional 1 per cent should also be imposed in the upcoming Union Budget to encourage companies to spend. Providing Covid Vaccine Booster Shots.
“Government should encourage industry to deploy CSR funding to provide precautionary shots to the community. Also, in addition to the industry mandated 2 per cent, to contribute an additional 1 per cent under CSR norms for the National Immunization Mission. is ready, and it can be part of the budget only for a period of 12 months,” said CII President TV Narendran.
It also called on state governments to lift pandemic-induced restrictions on economic activity, arguing that the occupancy rate of hospital beds due to the Omicron version of Covid is within manageable levels.
The chamber said it expected the budget to focus on measures to strengthen the economic recovery.
Mr Narendran shared that in line with the Prime Minister’s guidance to State Governments to impose restrictions where necessary at the local level, CII has written to State Chief Ministers to consider imposing restrictions on micro containment zones, when in hospital The recruitment rate should be more than 75%.
He said that with low levels of hospitalization in the Omicron variant, it is possible to maintain normal economic activities and protect lives and livelihoods.
The CII president stressed that investments under the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and Gati Shakti program should be fast-tracked and hoped that the budget would provide for the same.
The industry body also requested to expedite the import of all internationally approved mRNA and protein based vaccines at the price fixed by the government. This will open up a booster shot to all sections of the society. With a spurt in demand, the economy is expected to achieve a growth rate of 9.2 per cent in 2021-22.
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