Draft norms for NGOs seeking aid released

If aid and voluntary organisations (VOs) want funding from the Central government, they will have to adhere to a set of guidelines that have been drawn up by the Ministry of Rural Development.

These guidelines were drafted by a committee set up by the Supreme Court (SC) in pursuant to a January 10 order. The government had constituted a six-member committee under the chairmanship of ex-Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, on February 2, 2017, for framing guidelines/rules for accreditation of voluntary organisations /non-governmental organisations (NGOs).  

Pursuant to the recommendation of the committee, instructions have been issued to CAPART, state governments and offices under the Comptroller and Auditor General to take appropriate action in regard to the audit of the NGOs.

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted these guidelines in court, and on direction from a Bench comprising Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud, a copy was also given to amicus curiae Rakesh Dwivedi.

Apart from Dwivedi, all states and Union Territories have been invited to pursue these guideline and give suggestions accordingly.

The order for the guidelines came on the heels of a petition by advocate ML Sharma, who submitted that NGOs should be monitored. According to the draft, all NGOs/VOs are expected to register themselves on the Niti Aayog website, with NGO Darpan acting as a nodal agency. All requests for registration and accreditation and funds from the Union will be done through this website.

Upon registration, each NGO will be provided a unique ID. The organisations would be subjected to the laws under Income Tax Act and the Foreign Contribution Regulations Act. The NGOs will be monitored and their past track record will be taken into account before any accreditation is granted. In the event no work is done, they money granted for that specific purpose will be refunded along with a 10 per cent interest. If funds are misappropriated, criminal investigations against key officials associated would be initiated and the NGO blacklisted.

NEW ROUTE TO GET FUNDED

1. NGO Darpan will act as a nodal agency. Info on NGO’s will be available on Niti Aayog website.
    
2. All requests for registration and funds will be done through Niti Aayog website.
    
3. The CBI had said that there are more than 20 lakh NGOs receive funding from the Cente.
    
4. Only 10 per cent of them filed annual income and expendicture statements.