Corporate social responsibility (CSR) spends by companies have touched ₹50,000 crore in the four financial fiscals to 2018, the unspent amount is higher at ₹60,000 crore during the same period underlining the need to improve the framework, says a report by Crisil.

The cumulative spending from FY15-FY18 has topped Rs 50,000 crore, and includes Rs 34,000 crore by listed entities.

“As spending reaches meaningful proportions, there is a need to improve the quality and the impact of all that spends on the ground,” the report said. It noted that capping the total CSR-spend at 5 per cent of the total money set aside needs to be relooked, as firms have singled this out as a factor holding them back from enhancing their own in-house CSR capacities.

There is also a case for ensuring robust due diligence before appointing an NGO/voluntary organisation partner, it said, adding governance and impact achieved are two areas which need assessment.

The report said a third of the 1,913 listed companies which qualify for CSR spends did not spend the money due to multiple reasons.