Re: High Handed Treatment by NGOs, Funding Agencies

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

For some days I have been reading about the experiences shared by different NGOs

on the high handed treatment of NGOs by funding agencies.

I agree that some NGOs are subjected to high handed treatment and the treatment

mooted out to some NGOs in the recent past is just another example.

Without diluting the issue I would like to initiate a discussion on the high

handed treatment of the employees and fraud which is going on in the NGO sector

in India with support from some funding agencies aswell.

I apologise if I am hurting the sentiments of some NGOs which are doing good

work.

But I thought it is an excellent opportunity and apt time to use this platform

to voice the concerns that have been plauging the NGO sector in India. The

exploitation of employees, lack of proper or timely payment of wages, benefits,

lack of recruitment

policy, lack of accountability, secrecy and confidentiality etc. are some of the

issues I want to raise.

How many large NGOs have promoted unionisation for their employees to protect or

fight for their right. How many NGOs in India pay salary on time.

How many NGOs in India publish their annual statement of accounts etc. Is it not

time for the NGO sector in India to become organised and become more responsible

when it is providing employment to 24,000 people directly, with more than 1.2

million registered or non-registered non-profit organisations and with a annual

budget of 17,000 crores being spent by all NGOs ( Source: PREA 2002).

I think the NGO sector in India along with the funding agencies should work

together to bring about order and accountability in the NGO sector in India.

As long as NGOs in India do not become transparent, accountable and stop

exploitation of their employees and as long as fraud in using funds goes on, the

NGO sector in India will not be able to effectively question the high handed

treatment of NGOs.

Best

Dr. Francis

Dr. G. Francis Raj, Director, 'VOICES', Flat No. 203, Haritha Apartments,

Rajbhavan Road, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, India - 500082. Phone: 0091-40-35633068,

55347520. Fax: 0091-40-55611635.

Email: voicesindia@...