Of late the functioning of NGOs has been keenly watched by the Centre amid a sensational Intelligence Bureau report that accused "foreign-funded" NGOs of "serving as tools for foreign policy interests of western governments" by sponsoring agitations against nuclear and coal-fired power plants across the country. The government is moving against those NGOs which are allowed to receive foreign donations under Foreign Currency Regulation Act (FCRA) rules. However, the truth is that among the hundreds of thousands of NGOs in India, there are only a few which have such permission and have better financial resources.

 

World over, NGOs work in their chosen field of specialization with support from donors, well-wishers and government agencies; likewise, in Arunachal Pradesh too there are several NGOs doing outstanding job in the field of agriculture, horticulture, health, education and legal aid. They are quietly going about their works.

In rural areas or among the marginalized, group of volunteers or non-profit organizations are beacons of hope. Whatever social equity exists there is due to volunteers and the work of non-profit and non-governmental organizations.

This does not mean all NGOs are free of corruption and dishonest elements. 

Certain NGOs without pre-defined area of specialization are proving to be the rotten apples in the basket.  These NGOs are the loudest in media with negligible work to prove their credentials. Cyclically, these NGOs come alive and dominate media space whenever there is a “profitable” crisis. Most of these NGOs are monopolized by few individuals.

Arunachal Pradesh has been witnessing mushrooming of NGOs both registered and unregistered. There are hundreds of NGOs active in the state capital alone, however, only a handful of them genuinely work for the cause of the people.

The first-ever exercise by the CBI to map registered NGOs has disclosed that India has at least 31 lakh NGOs — more than double the number of schools in the country, 250 times the number of government hospitals, one NGO for 400 people as against one policeman for 709 people.

In this context, the ongoing crackdown could, in fact, turn out to be ultimately good for the innumerable honest but nondescript NGOs.

Considering that the government is asking NGOs tough questions, we are, in fact, going to be better placed. In any case, the NGOs are supposed to be custodians of the money granted for serving a cause, and they have no reason to hide their actions and accounts of what they are doing. In fact, for a well-meaning NGO, transparency will add value and help in raising funds.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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