Role of NGOs in India – UPSC GS2

NGOs endeavour to plug gaps in the government’s programmes and reach out to sections of people often left untouched by state projects. For example, providing aid to migrant workers in Covid-19 crisis.

These NGOs also look into accelerating activities like Issues dealing with poverty alleviation, water, environment, women’s rights and literacy.

Community-level outfits and self-help groups are critical for bringing any change in the ground.

In the past, such grass roots organisations have been enabled by collaborations with bigger NGOs and research agencies that have access to foreign funding.

There are political NGOs that mobilise public opinion against government’s policies and actions.

To the extent such NGOs are able to educate the public and put pressure on public policy, they act as important pressure groups in a democracy.

Many civil society initiatives have contributed to some of the path-breaking laws in the country, including the Environmental Protection Act-1986, Right to Education Act-2009, Forests Rights Act-2006 and Right to Information Act-2005, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), Juvenile Justice , Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS).

NGOs also partnered with the government to successfully implement major campaigns like Swachh Bharat Abiyaan and Sarva Siksha Abiyaan.

In Indian context wherein people are still steeped in superstition, faith, belief and custom, NGOs act as catalysts and create awareness among people.

During the last few years, numerous organisations have mushroomed which claim to work for the cause of helping the poor.

Under the garb of being an NGO, these NGOs often mint money from donors and are also involved in money laundering activities.

India’s disproportionate number of NGOs and the sector’s lack of transparency and accountability is clearly an issue that needs reforms.

Further the allegations of corruption against NGOs are ignored. In the past many NGOs were blacklisted after being found to have indulged in misappropriation of funds.

Many NGOs find it difficult to garner sufficient and continuous funding for their work. Gaining access to appropriate donors is a major component of this challenge.

Earlier, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) cancelled the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010 registration of various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

Suspension of FCRA licence means that the NGO can no longer receive fresh foreign funds from donors pending a probe by the Home Ministry. The FCRA is mandatory for associations and NGOs to receive foreign funds.

Many NGOs suffer from the lack of a cohesive, strategic plan that would facilitate success in their activities and mission, rendering them unable to effectively raise and capitalize on financial support.

Many NGOs have a deficit of understanding as to why they must have a Board and how to set one up.

Poor or disorganized networking is another major challenge, as it can cause duplicated efforts, time inefficiencies, conflicting strategies and an inability to learn from experience.

Many NGOs do not maximize the use of current technologies that could facilitate better communication and networking.

NGOs often lack the technical and organizational capacity to implement and fulfill their mission, and few are willing or able to invest in training for capacity building.

Weak capacity affects fundraising ability, governance, leadership and technical areas.

Many NGOs favor a “hardware” approach to development through building infrastructure and providing services instead of empowering people and institutions locally.