Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Re: [IAC#RG] WHY FOREIGN FUNDING FOR NGOs ?

An excellent response. Let me just correct one point -- the IB report is accurate and authentic! 
Sucheta Dalal
Managing Editor

On 18-Jun-2014, at 8:42 PM, willy <insafdelhi@gmail.com> wrote:

I fully agree with Sucheta Dalal. NGOs hardly get funds in India unlike in the West. None for those who challenge the developmental model of growth and defend democratic rights. Once you associate with the anti POSCO movement or anti Nuclear power plants to oppose massive displacement of people + enormous ecological devastation, no corporate NGO or government department will fund you.

Regarding monitoring of foreign funded NGOs is concerned, most in this list are not at all aware of the facts:
1. The law regulating foreign funded NGOs was brought in by Indira Gandhi (Chidambaram etc. were nowhere). UPA2 amended the law making it more stringent.
2. Any NGO desiring to receive foreign funds has to be registered under FCRA - which is issued by the MHA after a IB (SIB- subsidiary investigation bureau) inquiry.
3. Every fcra registered NGO has to submit audited accounts every year, failing which their fcra gets canceled. Details of receipts and expenditure of NGOs are there on the MHA-fcra website.
4. the fcra dept in MHA regularly checks activities of NGOs through field reports from SIB. If necessary they visit or even demand information through a template-questionnaire.

It is still not known if the "IB leaked report" floated in the web via some media is an IB report. The Home Minister has denied of seeing any such report - which allegedly went directly to the PM.
Even if true, there is no real evidence of 'foreign hand' in the report, excepting funding. Many NGOs believe in an economically equitable, ecological sustainable and democratically just society. They believe in opposing projects devastating the people and ecology. Where is the foreign hand in this? The govt needs to give evidence of actions of NGOs being dictated by donors, not of those NGOs who get funds on the basis of their own ideological commitments.

The GDP-mania of the UPA, NDA and most parties will only ride roughshod over those criticising them. Can you imagine over 7000 people charged with sedition in Tamil Nadu for anti Koodankulam protests? Even the colonial empire did not need to unleash such state repression. If this mania continues, there will be no place for activists or even another Rabindranath Tagore to pen 'Muktdhara' and talk of the curse of dams - this will be a threat to India's Economic Security.

Willy - INSAF (www.insafindia.com)


On 18 June 2014 15:27, Vinita Vishwas Deshmukh <vinitapune@gmail.com> wrote:
Sucheta's comments are so valid. Many a time people hesitate to appreciate work of NGO in India, leave alone donate.


On Tue, Jun 17, 2014 at 1:34 PM, Sucheta Dalal <sucheta@moneylife.in> wrote:
Mr Purohit

What about the fact that Indians dont even donate? We hear so much talk about misuse of funds by NGOs, but nothing about beneficiaries NEVER ever contributing to keep NGOs going. India has no concept of reciprocity and help. That is why, even after years of work, NGOs will never become self sufficient. All over the world, recipients, especially in domains like ours where we deliver specific financial benefit -- helping people get lakhs or crores of rupees back for victims of misselling  etc, dont even contribute 1% back to the NGO as a donation. 

If this is the situation when we deal with middle class, rich doctors, consultants, CEOs of companies and celebrities -- how much worse would it be with NGOs that work with people who do not have funds. 

I think pointing fingers is easy …. Sometimes it would be good to hold a mirror to ourselves too. Nothing personal about this to anyone -- it is a general comment about our society, our attitude of entitlement and our inability to ever reciprocate even when we are beneficiaries. 

best

Sucheta Dalal
Managing Editor



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On 15-Jun-2014, at 11:16 PM, rb purohit <rbpurohit4productivity@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear All
It is a common knowledge that NGOs misuse funds.
Foreign funds have to be used for specific purposes and a separate account has to be kept. But the same is manipulated. Local funding is also misappropriated. The Charity Commission takes years due to various reasons to correct violations and trustees make hay and make mockery of law.
It is common knowledge that. Culprits more than often go Scot free in this country due to our legal system.
God only is the last resort.
Let us change. Let us overhaul the system before it is too late.
Er Ratanlal Purohit
Consumer Activist

On 15 Jun 2014 22:26, "SD Windlesh" <sdwindlesh@gmail.com> wrote:
Time has come to make the working of NGOs receiving foreign aids transparent. They have misused the foreign funding to destabilise the Govt. and should not go scot free. Time has come to make them answerable for their misdeed to the public ban their furtherance in the field.
 


On Sat, Jun 14, 2014 at 11:42 PM, Sukla Sen <sukla.sen@gmail.com> wrote:


On 14 June 2014 13:01, Gaur J K <gaurjk@hotmail.com> wrote:
14/6/14
 
Dear Mr. Venkataraman
 
The time has certainly come to closely monitor the activiries of N.GOs
Mr. Chidambaram had initiated the process for NGOs getting foreign funds.The present Govt. will now be expediting this process .
Thiere have been serious allegations of misuse of funds not only for conversion but anti-social activities, terrorism and other anti national activities.
Some NGOs are bound to protest but those who have nothing to hide should welcome if it leads to transparancy in their working.
Banning foreign remittances at present will not be feasible, but as the country becomes financially strong and can meet the needs of NGOs through Govt. aid and volutary contribution, it should be the ultimate goal.
The figure of 20 lakhs seems to be on the higher side. All NGOs have to be registered either with Charity Commissioners or as Registered Societies under the Societies Act. Aid from Govt. is difficult to get and not enough.It will be worthwhile to collect data Statewise and Subject-wise. You will be amazed to see heavy concentration in some states and very small nos in many states.
Getting them under RTI will be a tall order. Even PPP projects are not under RTI. But public opinion should be built for NGOs totally dependent on Govt. or foreign funding.
Regds
JKGaur
 

Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 19:30:43 +0530
From: nsvenkatchennai@gmail.com
To: indiaresists@lists.riseup.net
Subject: [IAC#RG] WHY FOREIGN FUNDING FOR NGOs ?


To
 
India Against Corruption
 
 
 

                                                                                                                 WHY FOREIGN FUNDING FOR NGOs ?

 

While some NGOs are protesting about the accusation of intelligence bureau that some NGOs receive foreign funds which are misused ,  the question arises in one's mind immediately  as to why these NGOs receive funds from abroad at all. Can they not function well with the money made available to them by the government (around Rs. 950 crores per annum)  and by many donors in India ?

 

While it is true that many NGOs are doing good work in  several areas, there is suspicion that quite a number of NGOs in the country view the NGO activities as "business opportunity" perhaps, this explains as to why there are around   20 lakh  number of NGOs in the country at present. ( One for every 600 citizens)  Several  promoters of NGOs who are not employed and who have no known source of income often are seen living in comfortable life style, with posh office facilities and  travelling frequently. Obviously, such promoters divert part of the donation made to the NGOs for their personal benefits. It is also believed that under the cover of NGO, the overseas funds are used for conversions and other purposes under the guidance of overseas masters.

 

NGOs have very crucial role to play, since large percentage of countrymen living  below poverty line and exploitation of the innocent  people and atrocities against women are increasing.. At the same time, it has to be ensured that bad elements and  motivated  campaigners do not hide their true colour in the name of NGOs.

 

Certainly, there is strong case that Government of India should closely monitor the activities of NGOs particularly those receiving funds from abroad  and NGOs should be brought under RTI Act.

 

It would be even appropriate that Government of India should ban the practice of NGOs receiving  funds from abroad  once for all.

 

N.S.Venkataraman

Nandini Voice For The Deprived

Email:- nsvenkatchennai@gmail.com





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