The Department of Public Enterprises has prepared guidelines for the central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) to take up important corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects.

"We are having a discussion with Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh for finalizing the CSR guidelines. It is expected to be finalised within a month," Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) Secretary Bhaskar Chatterjee said.

The proposal, which was recently cleared by the Committee of Secretaries, will make it mandatory for CPSEs with net profits of up to Rs 100 crore to contribute 3-5 per cent, he said.

Those earning net profits of Rs 100-Rs 500 crore would contribute two to three per cent of the amount subject to a minimum of Rs 3 crore, while those with a net profit of Rs 500 crore and above would contribute 0.5-2 per cent.