Raymond is a large Indian textile company established in 1925. The textile industry is one of the largest employers in India, providing jobs for over 35 million people. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) aims to embrace responsibility for corporate actions and encourage a positive impact on stakeholders and the environment. A strategic approach to CSR can benefit companies through risk management, cost savings, and building long-term trust with employees, consumers, and citizens. The document discusses the evolution and benefits of CSR in India, with a focus on practices within the textile industry.

1. STUDY ON THE PRACTICES& ISSUES IN CSR IN
A TEXTILE INDUSTRY
A report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the
completion of Semester I in
Master of Fashion Management
Submitted by:
Bhanusree Malviya
Debadipta Ghosh
Nitika Singh
Rahul Hela
Rajkumar koli
Department of Fashion Management Studies
National Institute of Fashion Technology
Kolkata

2. 1. CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility):-
Corporate social responsibility (CSR, also called corporate conscience, corporate
citizenship or responsible business) is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into
a business model. CSR policy functions as a self-regulatory mechanism whereby a business
monitors and ensures its active compliance with the spirit of the law, ethical standards and
national or international norms. With some models, a firm's implementation of CSR goes beyond
compliance and engages in "actions that appear to further some social good, beyond the interests
of the firm and that which is required by law”. CSR aims to embrace responsibility for corporate
actions and to encourage a positive impact on the environment and stakeholders including
consumers, employees, investors, communities, and others.
2. Evolution of CSR in India:-
The evolution of corporate social responsibility in India refers to changes over time in
India of the cultural norms of corporation’s engagement of corporate social
responsibility (CSR), with CSR referring to way that businesses are managed to bring about
an overall positive impact on the communities, cultures, societies and environments in
which they operate. The fundamentals of CSR rest on the fact that not only public policy but
even corporate should be responsible enough to address social issues. Thus companies
should deal with the challenges and issues looked after to a certain extent by the states.[2]
Among other countries India has one of the oldest traditions of CSR. But CSR practices are
regularly not practiced or done only in namesake especially by MNCs with no cultural and
emotional attachments to India. Much has been done in recent years to make
Indian Entrepreneurs aware of social responsibility as an important segment of their
business activity but CSR in India has yet to receive widespread recognition. If this goal has
to be realized then the CSR approach of corporate has to be in line with their attitudes
towards mainstream business- companies setting clear objectives, undertaking potential
investments, measuring and reporting performance publicly.

3. Under the Companies Act, 2013, any company having a net worth of rupees 500 crore or
more or a turnover of rupees 1,000 crore or more or a net profit of rupees 5 crore or has to
spend at least 2% of last 3 years average net profits on CSR activities as specified in
Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 and as amended from time to time.[9]
The rules
came into effect from 1 April 2014.
SEBI, as per its notification on August 13, 2012, has mentioned that enterprises are
accountable to the larger society and "adoption of responsible business practices in the
interest of the social set-up and the environment are as vital as their financial and
operational performance". SEBI has mandated the inclusion of Business Responsibility
Reports as part of the annual reports of the Top 100 listed entities based on market
capitalization at BSE and NSE. It is mandatory to make these reports available on the
website of the company. For companies that do not belong to Top 100, inclusion of
Business Responsibility Reports is not mandatory, though SEBI encourages its inclusion in
the annual report and website.
3. Benefits of CSR:-
Improved financial performance : A recent longitudinal Harvard University study
has found that “stakeholder balanced” companies showed four times the growth
rate and eight times employment growth when compared to companies that focused
only on shareholders and profit maximization.
Enhanced brand image & reputation: A company considered socially
responsible can benefit -both by its enhanced reputation with the public, as well as
its reputation within the business community, increasing a company’s ability to
attract capital and trading partners. For example, a 1997 study by two Boston
College management professors found that excellent employee, customer and
community relations are more important than strong shareholder returns in earning
corporations a place an Fortune magazine’s annual “Most Admired Companies”
list.
Increased sales and customer loyalty: A number of studies have suggested a
large and growing market for the products and services of companies perceived to
be socially responsible. While businesses must first satisfy customers’ key buying

4. criteria – such as price, quality, appearance, taste, availability, safety and
convenience. Studies also show a growing desire to buy based on other value-
based criteria, such as ” sweatshop-free” and “child labor-free” clothing, products
with smaller environmental impact, and absence of genetically modified materials
or ingredients.
Increased ability to attract and retain employees: Companies perceived to have
strong CSR commitments often find it easier to recruit employees, particularly in
tight labor markets. Retention levels may be higher too, resulting in a reduction in
turnover and associated recruitment and training costs. Tight labor markets as well
the trend toward multiple jobs for shorter periods of time are challenging
companies to develop ways to generate a return on the consideration resources
invested in recruiting, hiring, and training.
Reduced regulatory oversight: Companies that demonstrate that they are
engaging in practices that satisfy and go beyond regulatory compliance
requirements are being given less scrutiny and freer reign by both national and
local government entities. In many cases, such companies are subject to fewer
inspections and paperwork, and may be given preference or “fast-track” treatment
when applying for operating permits, zoning variances or other forms of
governmental permission.
Easier access to capital: The Social Investment Forum reports that, in the U.S. in
1999, there is more than $2 trillion in assets under management in portfolios that
use screens linked to ethics, the environment, and corporate social responsibility.
It is clear that companies addressing ethical, social, and environmental
responsibilities have rapidly growing access to capital that might not otherwise
have been available.
4. Why CSR is important today?
A strategic approach to CSR is increasingly important to a company's competitiveness. It can
bring benefits in terms of risk management, cost savings, access to capital, customer

5. relationships, human resource management, and innovation capacity. It also encourages more
social and environmental responsibility from the corporate sector at a time when the crisis has
damaged consumer confidence and the levels of trust in business.
 Through CSR, enterprises can significantly contribute to the European Union’s treaty objectives
of sustainable development and a highly competitive social market economy. CSR underpins
the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, including
the 75% employment target. Responsible business conduct is especially important when private
sector operators provide public services.
 CSR requires engagement with internal and external stakeholders so it enables enterprises to
anticipate better and take advantage of fast-changing expectations in society as well as operating
conditions. This means it can also act as a driver for the development of new markets and create
real opportunities for growth.
 By addressing their social responsibility, enterprises can build long-term employee, consumer
and citizen trust as a basis for sustainable business models. This in turn helps to create an
environment in which enterprises can innovate and grow. The economic crisis and its social
consequences have to some extent damaged levels of trust in business, and have focused public
attention on the social and ethical performance of enterprises, including on issues such as
bonuses and executive pay.
 Helping to mitigate the social effects of the crisis, including job losses, is part of the social
responsibility of enterprises. In the longer term, CSR offers a set of values on which to build a
more cohesive society and on which to base the transition to a sustainable economic system.
 By renewing efforts to promote CSR now, the Commission aims to create conditions favourable
to sustainable growth, responsible business behaviour and lasting job creation for the medium
and long-term.
5. Textile Industry in India:-
The Textile industry in India traditionally, after agriculture, is the only industry that has
generated huge employment for both skilled and unskilled labor in textiles. The textile industry

6. continues to be the second largest employment generating sector in India. It offers direct
employment to over 35 million in the country. The share of textiles in total exports was 11.04%
during April–July 2010, as per the Ministry of Textiles. During 2009-2010, Indian textiles
industry was pegged at US$55 billion, 64% of which services domestic demand. In 2010, there
were 2,500 textile weaving factories and 4,135 textile finishing factories in all of India.
According to AT Kearney’s ‘Retail Apparel Index’, India is ranked as the fourth most promising
market for apparel retailers in 2009.
India is first in global jute production and shares 63% of global textile and garment market. India
is 2nd in global textile manufacturing and also 2nd in silk and cotton production. 100% FDI is
allowed via automatic route in textile sector. Rieter, Trutzschler, Soktas, Zambiati, Bilsar, Monti,
CMT, E-land, Nissinbo, Marks & Spencer, Zara, Promod, Benetton, Levi’s are the some of
foreign textile companies invested or working in India.
6. Raymonds:-
Incorporated in
1925, Raymond Group is one of India's largest branded fabric and fashion retailers. It is one of
the leading, integrated producers of suiting fabric in the world, with a capacity of producing 31
million meters of wool & wool-blended fabrics. Gautam Singhania is the chairman and
managing director of the Raymond group.
The Group owns apparel brands like Raymond, Raymond Premium Apparel, Park Avenue, Park
Avenue Woman. Color Plus & Parx. All the brands are retailed through 'The Raymond Shop'
(TRS) – One of the largest networks of over 700 retail shops spread across India and overseas, in
over 200 cities.
In addition, the Group also has business interests in readymade garments, designer wear,
cosmetics & toiletries, engineering files and tools, prophylactic sand air charter operations.

7. Raymond Ltd.
Raymond Ltd. is among the largest integrated manufacturers of fabrics in the world.
Raymond Apparel Ltd.
Raymond Apparel Ltd. has in its folio some of the apparel brands in India – Raymond
Premium Apparel, Park Avenue, Parx.
Color Plus Fashions Ltd.
Color Plus is among the smart casual brand in the premium category in India.
Silver Spark Apparel Ltd.
A garmenting facility in India that manufactures formal suits, trousers and jackets.
Celebrations apparel ltd.
A shirt manufacturing facility at Bangalore.
EverBlue Apparel Ltd.
A denim garmenting facility in Doddaballapur near Bangalore (India).
J.K. Helene Curtis Ltd.
A player in the grooming, accessories and toiletries category.
JK Files (India) Limited.
A player in the Engineering Files & Tools segment and the largest producer of steel files
in the world.
7. CSR activities in Raymonds:-
Raymond Ltd, India’s leading textile brand and world leader in Worsted Fabric and Garments,
on 15 May announced the launch of India’s first training centre to impart tailoring skills to under
privileged youth and tailors. Launched in Patna, Bihar by the State’s Chief Minister, Mr Nitish
Kumar, this Centre is geared to train 250 candidates in suit, shirt and trouser making in the first
academic year.
Raymond through this initiative aims to create a network of skilled stylist tailors across India for
sharing of knowledge and ideas, while providing customers with quality tailored garments. The

8. Raymond Tailoring Centre shall train over 10000 students in various aspects of tailoring
including suit, shirt and trouser making over the next five years. The minimum qualification for
admission to the Raymond Tailoring Centre is 8th standard pass.
At the time of enrollment, the student will need to pay the fees of Rs 2000 each for Shirt making
course and Trouser making course and Rs.5000 for Suit making. These fees are refundable once
the course is successfully completed by the student. The initial course fee is to ensure that the
Centre attracts serious candidates, in keeping with the high standards of its training modules.
Raymond, market leader in the fabric and apparel sectors is taking pioneering steps in
developing the ecosystem of the sector. The Company believes in the ideology of ‘Growing
Together’. It has been the Company’s endeavour to rejuvenate the fading art of tailoring and in
this direction has initiated several steps. The Raymond Tailoring Centre holds the vision of
imparting training skills to unemployed, underprivileged youth and the existing tailoring
community, by upgrading their current skill sets and encouraging employment and
entrepreneurship. This training helps them upgrade their tailored product quality in terms of
finish and style, earn better revenue and thereby improve their social and economic status.
Raymond launched its first such centre in Patna with the support of the Bihar Govt, and plans to
extend this initiative to other States with 20 more such tailoring centres over the next five years.
Mr Gautam Singhania, Chairman and MD, Raymond Ltd., said, “The tailoring community is one
of the key spokes of the textile and apparel industry. It is common knowledge that great fabrics
can be made into great garments only by great tailors. However, it is important for tailors to be
abreast of styling trends and be able to implement them in the garments to suit evolving customer
tastes, given constant up-gradation in fashion. Considering technological advancements in the
sector, our module includes training candidates on the latest modern technology machinery and
use of the worlds’ best tailoring practices at no financial expense to the students.
The Raymond Tailoring Centre has been established to help its candidates acquire these special
tailoring skills and bring in a sense of empowerment. Special focus shall be given to encourage

9. women to pursue our programmes, through special reservation for them. We are proud to have
the support of the Govt of Bihar in our first step in this direction.”
Raymond will assist the trained students in placements in the 680 The Raymond Shops and other
multi-brand outlets. Raymond will also provide them career opportunities in around 100
Raymond workshops which will be setup during this period. The trained tailors will be
encouraged to set-up tailor shops and Raymond shall support them in their endeavour in
becoming trained stylist tailors.