The 2nd edition of the North East CSR Connect 2025, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi on 17 September, brought together senior government representatives, corporate leaders, NGOs, and development agencies to explore ways to expand the reach and impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Northeast. The event highlighted the region’s development needs and the transformative potential of CSR investments, while also releasing a report titled CII CSR Investment in Northeast India: Understanding Barriers and Way Forward.
A special emphasis was placed on the role of CSR in promoting inclusive growth, with leaders from the Northeast urging companies to spread investments more evenly across all eight states of the region. Advisor for Industry and Commerce, Government of Nagaland, Hekani Jakhalu, was among the key speakers who underscored both the opportunities and challenges in ensuring balanced CSR interventions.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Jakhalu thanked CII for its efforts in connecting corporates with the Northeast and for skill training initiatives already underway. She noted that CSR could act as a catalyst for skill development, entrepreneurship, and livelihood creation. However, she also drew attention to the glaring disparity in CSR allocation across the region.
According to her, while India recorded CSR spending of nearly Rs 29,000 crore in 2022–23, the Northeast together received only about Rs 650 crore, a mere two percent of the total. “That is really about only two percent, with the major chunk going to Assam. We are happy that companies are investing in Assam, but the Northeast is beyond Assam. We are eight states, and so today’s request to the captains of industry was, please think beyond Assam also,” she told ANI.
Jakhalu pointed out that small size cannot be an excuse for limited CSR investments in the region. Drawing a comparison, she said, “Sometimes people argue that because Northeast states are small, they get lesser investments. But Goa is a small state too, and when you put the seven Northeastern states together, Goa’s investment is higher.”
She also attributed the historical neglect of the region to its hilly terrain and geographical constraints that limited industrial development. Yet, she maintained that the Northeast must not be left behind in India’s growth trajectory. “Our honorable Prime Minister always says if India has to develop, the Northeast has to develop because the Northeast is India’s strength,” she said.
Jakhalu proposed innovative ways to bridge the gap between high-income and low-income states through CSR collaborations. She suggested a “sister state” model where high-income states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, or Karnataka could partner with Northeastern states to channel CSR funds strategically. “This collaboration and relationship would also help in taking the Northeast up,” she added.
The Nagaland advisor also shared her concerns that investment summits often fail to translate into tangible projects. “We have had a lot of investment meets. The Government of Nagaland is always open, inviting investors to come and invest in Nagaland and the Northeast. Unfortunately, it ends with events. We have great gatherings, but when it comes to actual investment, for some reason, companies shy away,” she said. Appealing directly to industry leaders, she stressed, “It is one of the most investment-friendly states. The people are hospitable, hardworking, and our doors are open for them to come and collaborate with us.”
Other leaders at the conclave also echoed the need for scaling up CSR in the region. Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Minister for Communication and Development of North Eastern Region, underlined CSR’s role in bridging developmental gaps and identified infrastructure, livelihoods and skills, and environment and sustainability as key focus areas. Mizoram’s Minister of State Lalnghinglova Hmar emphasized the potential of CSR in transforming communities and revealed that Mizoram will soon launch an AI-based CSR matchmaking platform to connect companies with investable projects.
Meanwhile, Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director General and CEO of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, called for setting up a dedicated CSR Authority in each state to ensure transparency and better alignment with local needs. CII leaders, including R Mukundan and Pradeep Bagla, reaffirmed the industry body’s commitment to positioning the Northeast as a priority region for CSR, highlighting healthcare, education, infrastructure, and livelihoods as focus sectors for long-term partnerships.
The event concluded with an exhibition showcasing impactful CSR projects in the Northeast.
