The licenses of NGOs who didn't file their returns even after being notified repeatedly have been revoked recently by the government under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). It is being alleged that these NGOs received billions of funds from abroad for anti-development campaigns. Greenpeace was spearheading the movement against a power plant in Madhya Pradesh. Diversion of those funds for terror financing or money laundering cannot be ruled out. An IB report had blamed NGOs for the slump in India’s GDP. A claim that some Christian NGOs are engaging in proselytisation has also been floated.
However critics view it as yet another move by a majority government to stifle opposition and to suppress dissent. NGOs is a huge grassroots-level mechanism which help in mobilising people for awareness programmes throughout the country. As a nation, we must acknowledge the innumerable positive interventions made by NGOs, in ensuring the passage of landmark acts in Parliament like Right to Food, Right to Education, Environment related laws, tribal rights, the NREGA or the RTI. These regulatory steps focused on NGOs would potentially have chilling effects and may suppress their voices.
On the other hand, a just implementation of the due process of law must be ensured notwithstanding the social services some of these NGOs are involved in. Out of two million registered NGOs, the bad ones among them have to be tackled firmly. They should be held accountable for their actions under Indian law if any law is violated.
With Greenpeace and various non-profits under the scanner, it is time to revive the idea of a national accreditation agency for the NGOs. Accreditation is the process of certifying voluntary organisations based on a set of agreed principles. Rating agencies can be helpful. A vibrant civil society is essential for India's democratic traditions. We should not let it go without giving second thoughts.
No comments:
Post a Comment