Policy Perspective 

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an approach adopted by a company that contributes to sustainable development by delivering economic, social and environmental benefits of stake holders and J&K Bank just believes the institutional growth is akin to empowering every section of society. At J&K Bank, Corporate Social Responsibility is not merely compliance but a social investment to help sustainability of society. It is a commitment to support initiatives that measurably improve the lives of under-privileged by addressing their needs. J&K Bank has the distinction of being called the “Socially Conscious Corporate Citizen” of the country.

Under CSR, the J&K Bank has focused on continuous commitment to the social, economic upliftment of the underprivileged sections of the society and promote inclusive, harmonious social economic welfare, community empowerment, capacity building and protection of environment.

It is in alignment with the mission of social empowerment, the bank as a socially responsible corporate citizen, shall enhance value creation in the society and the community it operates through its CSR activities, which ultimately would be aimed to promote sustained growth of the society and protection of environment.

Key areas of J&K Bank’s CSR Projects/Programmes

1. Community Development Initiative
2. Promotion of Education
3. Preventive Healthcare
4. Promotion of Sports activities
5. Sanitation
6. Preserving Ecology/Heritage
7. Skill Development.

Overview of the activities

Key initiatives undertaken during the reporting year were:

Community Development:
During the FY 2018-19, a number of initiatives were undertaken by bank in this direction. The activities under Community Development initiative varied from development of Rajinder Park Canal Road Jammu for joggers and general public, providing basic amenities/equipments to Night Shelter Home at Boria Basti Jammu. The bank also under CSR contributed towards the Kerala Relief Fund for the people affected by last year’s Kerala Floods. Besides an Omni ambulance was provided to the Idara-Auqaf Gousia Trust and water purifiers installed at Mini Secretariat Ganderbal for the usage of large number of people visiting the said office. The J&K Bank undertook the electrification of revered shrine of Baba Peer Budhan Shah Ji Jammu which is being visited by thousands of faithful from across the country. In addition to the aforementioned activities under community development, the bank also installed chairs at District Hospital Rajouri and provided invertor to District Child Protection Unit Budgam.

Promotion of Education
Education being the corner stone in nation building, J&K Bank has given top priority to promotion of education under its CSR programme. A considerable portion of CSR funding was spent in the field of education. The University of Jammu was provided with the electric vehicle for specially-abled students. J&K Bank also contributed to the STUDENT’S WELFARE FUND to be utilized for poor children, finding difficult to get the admission despite being meritorious. The bank also provided for renovation of Rotary Inner Wheel School run by Deepak Goswami, a specially-abled artist. Besides Omni Van was provided to IIT Jammu, and a gate antenna was installed at Central University Jammu. In order to provide round the clock electrification to the NIT Srinagar, 60 UPS were provided to the institute for benefit of the students pursuing technical education there. Besides, 50 steel benches and bicycles were provided to the Kashmir University and library of GCW Parade was fully automated by the bank.

Healthcare
The goal of preventive care is to help people stay healthy. The idea is to nip diseases in the bud before they become catastrophic and keep health care costs low. During the year, bank undertook a major step in this direction by providing Medical equipments including high end USG machines to the GK Medical Trust. The medicinal cost of the Hemophilia and Hepatitis patients was carried in this year as well. Besides a USG machine was provided to the Helpline Medical System, an NGO. Also an ambulance was provided to the Bone and Joint Hospital Srinagar in the current year.

Promotion of Sports activities
With corporate involvement, J&K Bank saw possibility of building a sporting culture in the territories and establish J&K as a sporting territories in the national and international forum. One of biggest CSR activities in the year was giving financial support to Real Kashmir Football Club (RKFC) which attained much fame and highlighted the potential for sports activities like Football in the UT. The support to RKFC remained the focus of bank’s proactive actions for the year so far as promotion of sports activities in the Union Territories are concerned.

Sanitation
In line with the Swachta Hi Seva campaign of the preceding year, this year bank also carried forward the initiative by providing Garbage Carriers to the Jammu Development Authority and also conducting Cleanliness Drives at various locations in Jammu.
The bank has actively participated in the government’s “Swachh Bharat Mission” by responding to the call with enthusiasm and compassion for the noble initiative of the government.

Preserving Ecology/Heritage
J&K Bank has been proactively playing its part in preserving ecology and heritage of the culturally rich and diverse Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh. The bank has been undertaking number of measures like planting trees on World Arbor Day every year, developing parks and gardens at barren lands and also undertaking cleanliness drives across the UT. Under the premise of “Environment Excellence Programme”, the bank has been maintaining thirteen (13) parks/walkways across the state, thereby helping the cause of environmental protection.
One of the most prestigious projects undertaken under preserving ecology and environment by the bank has been development and maintenance of Kashmir Golf Course (KGB). David Brinkel was specifically invited by the Bank to assess the design and landscaping of the golf course who expressed satisfaction on the manner in which the bank has been able to accomplish this high-value project. Rating it as AAA (Triple A), he also lauded the efforts that have gone in to the designing and execution of the golf course.

Skill Development
The bank understands the importance of skill development for improving the capabilities and qualifications of the aspiring youth to get employed in the ever growing competitive market. During the current year, the bank provided support to Craft Development Institute Srinagar with infrastructure development so that the students are benefited in the long run.