Funding of NGOs by the Government-Some Cautions

Over the past few years, the government funding to NGOs has risen to a very high level. There is no authentic figure available about the total amount disbursed to NGOs in the whole financial year by the GOI through its different ministries and Corporations. But definitely, there is a strong case for the compilation for such figure. NGOs have become a means of eating government money through back door without proper accountability.

Some Suggestions-

1.      Why should in the first place, the government give money to NGOs? The very term “NGO” means that they are supposed to take donations from society to serve the society. In this age, when there are so many rich people around and so much of balck money in the economy, there is no dearth of money for good cause. There is only a dearth of people with dedication. There are hundreds of people ready with their purse to provide every help to any organization whom they trust.

It is high time that we stop this loot of tax payer’s money by the wives, relatives and friends of politicians & bureaucrats in the name of NGOs. In most of the cases, the money is given to NGOs without adopting proper selection and bid process, which is against all financial rules and propriety.

2.      If at all we need to partner with any NGOs in order to expand Government’s reach, it should be done with following cautions-

a.       The standard PPP processes should be followed for selection of NGOs. That is there should be an advertisement, technical bids, financial bids etc. Financial rules should not be bent in order to justify NGO funding.

b.      There should be some minimum prescribed representation of women, SC/STs, minorities in the NGOs governing body in order to be eligible for Government funding. The NGOs talk of welfare of these sections but never practice what they preach.

c.       On every department’s website, there should be a link (or button) named “NGO funding”. All the funds of that department, no matter from what level  are  they being released, should be displayed in the following 7 column format on the website for every financial year-

Sl.No., Releasing Officer’s Name & designation, Letter no. & Date of Release, Name of NGO, Purpose of grant, Period for utilization, Remarks

In the release order, the exact link (website address) should be given where the information of that release order is displayed. Any release order without this link should be considered fake.