NGOs In India: Its Role In Society And Government’ Narrative

In a democratic system, the role of the state is primary and most vital in formulating and implementing social and economic development programmes. However, within contemporary society, the issues that individuals are facing especially the poor are far more complex.

This can be very true in an exceedingly country like India where an outsized number of vulnerable sections are experiencing inequalities in any respect the degree.

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Development doesn’t only mean economic development but also includes promoting social equality, gender equality, and improving quality of life etc., it’s impracticable for the presidency alone to effectively undertake such complex development activities.

There’s the essentiality of other groups or organizations to support the govt on various fronts. This essentiality paved way for the emergence of civil society. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) being a serious arm of civil society thus have an important role in the country’s development process

However, the important and identified registration and formation of NGOs emerged in India in the early 1970s. Immediately after their formal inception, NGOs received a greater thrust from the govt. in additional than one way.

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NGOs with the support given by the govt. has been accelerating its development activities by seizing specific issues like Poverty alleviation, child rights, caste stigma and discrimination, women’s rights, child labour, rural development, water and sanitation, environmental issues etc.

Within the last 20 years, the role of NGOs became proactive within the social sector development-education, health etc. NGOs have played an important role in sending college dropouts back to the college especially in rural areas thus upholding the correct education.

And also as far as the health sector development programmes are concerned like the Leprosy eradication programme and programs on eliminating TB, and malaria and improving water and sanitation facilities by NGOs have met with huge success.

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The most highlighted success of NGOs may be seen in their achievement in influencing government to bring out various development-oriented policies and laws.

Few of such laws and policies include Right to Information, Integrated child development scheme(ICDS), Integrated child protection scheme(ICPS), MNREGA, Juvenile justice, Nirmal gram initiative, Rashtriya Swathya Bima Yojna(RSBY), Various policies on women development, forest and environment development, anti-trafficking, people with disability etc.,

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NGOs undoubtedly are playing a proactive role in protecting the interests of the poor and destitute and are essential for upholding the democratic values of the country. However, many NGOs in India have come under the red scanner and their functioning should be seen with suspicion.

This is often majorly thanks to a loss of credibility and lack of accountability with NGOs in India. Although this can be not true with all the NGOs it’s certainly true that the red spot is on many NGOs across various regions within the country.

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It is a well-known undeniable fact that several NGOs obtain funds from foreign sources for their activities. it’s also true that these NGOs played a crucial part in protests against fixing coal and thermal project plants and Konndankulam nuclear project which led to power shortages within the respective states. In the wake of the IB report, there are few arguments from different quarters to dam the choice of availing foreign funds.

In a very country like India where income source is low and high difficulties associated with raising funds which are primary for NGOs to meet their minimum requirements it’s definitely not acceptable to prevent the foreign funds. rather than blocking the foreign funds, it’s necessary for the state to confirm further transparency in categorizing the NGOs supporting their fund’s sources.

It’d also prove effective if government tightens the scrutiny procedures through the foreign contribution (regulation) act, 2010. And also it’s necessary that NGOs make sure transparency in their governance framework and board functioning.

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In fine, the NGOs working with enhanced accountability, by providing alternative solutions to the event, unitedly with the govt and market which is the need of the hour would further strengthen the event process in India.