Hyderabad: NGOs extend support even to the Governments
Voluntary organizations have been a key part in helping the people to cope with the vulnerable situation currently the society is facing. The Corona epidemic proved the same once again. The government made the announcement to this effect, to the court during a recent public interest litigation filed by two social workers in the Supreme Court over the government's relief measures being taken during Corona.
During the lockdown, various state governments have set up 22,547 aid camps in 578 districts across the country, of which nearly 4,000 are run by charities, the government said in a report to the court. If 54 lakh migrant workers are fed by various governments during the lockdown; around 30 lakh migrants have been catered to, by the charities. The report said millions of people have been provided with food. Charities across the country have played an active role in feeding migrant workers in 13 states; the report states that these organizations have been active in Gujarat, Mizoram, Kerala and the Telugu states.
It has been proved once again that these charity organizations and NGOs have been playing a pivotal role next to the government in catering to the needs the affected citizens during many natural disasters such as tornadoes, earthquakes, famines, tsunamis, floods, fire hazards and other epidemics.
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Employment in accordance with Service
According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), New Delhi, there are an estimated 30 lakh organizations in the country. There are four charities for every one thousand people in urban areas and two for rural areas. NGOs, which play a key role in social development, are leading the way in providing diverse services.
NGOs provide suggestions to the governments on the need to adapt to changing times and the procedures that need to be implemented accordingly. Questioning, increasing transparency in governance, providing information to legislate, and highlighting mistakes in administration are the main goals of these charity organizations.
The "Vishakha Guidelines" for eradicating sexual harassment in the workplace, "Samatha Judgment" on environmental and ecological protection, removal of IPC Section 377 that is linked to Hijra(Transgender) rights, the introduction of Right to Information Act and the Lokpal Bill are just a few of the charitable efforts of charities. These organizations are actively involved in social development along with employing many citizens, in the process.
In the ninth decade, the need for economic liberalization had diverted the complete focus towards privatization which led to negligence on the welfare of the people. In those circumstances, the concept of social development is thought to be possible only through civil society participation. The emergence of charitable organizations has been credited to the invitation of foreign investment into the country.
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Recognizing the need for the role NGOs play in the national progress, the government adopted a national policy in the year 2007. The key identified for this purpose is public-private participation. The Companies Act of 2013 stipulates that companies should undertake rural development initiatives under Social Company Responsibility (CSR). It has been an inviting evolution that Governments have come forward to partner with NGOs in the country.
Partnership in sustainable development
Irrespective of the number of initiatives taken by the governments, some of the communities still seem to be far-fetched from availing the fruits of development. Tribal and Dalits are struggling with non-availability of even minimum rights. Education and health care are not be seen in villages and urban slums. Progress is not possible unless there is active civic participation in a country with a vast population and corresponding problems. Governments need to have a broader social outlook. NGOs serving the welfare aspect with commitment should be promoted under all circumstances. Various issues can emerge only with the active participation of volunteers belonging to such NGOs.
A major problem facing NGOs is lack of funds. In some cases, misappropriation of funds for other reasons also occurs in these organizations. The government needs to try to solve these problems. The Supreme Court's recent suggestion that governments should not harass those charities that are fighting in public interests, should be adopted by the governments without any compromise.
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The recent Corona breakthrough, Covid-19 has once again proved that it is the NGO's power that could compete with the government machinery and try to address the problems and help the civilians in their day to day activities. Civil society is said to be strong only when the citizens are more aware of their rights and abide by their responsibilities towards national development.
