Government officials urged corporations to direct their corporate social responsibility spending toward tribal communities, emphasizing measurable impact over large-scale investments at a national conference in New Delhi.

Chanchal Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, called for companies to focus on “small, impactful projects” targeting healthcare, education and agriculture in underserved tribal and rural areas during his keynote address on October 6.

“CSR efforts should reach every part of society, fostering inclusivity and equitable development,” Kumar said, highlighting artificial intelligence as a tool to improve efficiency and create jobs in tribal regions.

The two-day National Conference & Exhibition on Leveraging CSR Excellence for Tribal Development, organized by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, drew over 300 delegates from government, industry and civil society.

Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director General of IICA, noted Indian companies are now spending more than the mandated 2% of profits on CSR, reflecting “a deeper commitment to social welfare.” He urged firms to move beyond financial contributions toward technology transfer and knowledge sharing with local communities.

The conference, timed to mark India’s second annual CSR Day on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, featured three panel discussions on tribal livelihoods, entrepreneurship and health.

M. Raja Murugan emphasized value addition and digital market access for tribal artisans, while Shombi Sharp praised India’s CSR framework as “a global model of corporate accountability and social innovation.”

The event showcased CSR projects by corporations, public sector units and foundations focused on tribal entrepreneurship, education, healthcare and environmental conservation.

Kumar said the North East Region is ready to attract greater investment with improved infrastructure and implementation capabilities, positioning it as “a model for balanced growth” by 2047.