Saraswati was a successful IT professional in USA. Moved by the patriotic sense of doing something for the country she returned to India. Together with some other like-minded friends, she formed an NGO to build a school for a poor rural community. The objective of the school was to provide the best quality modern education at a nominal cost. She soon discovered that she has to seek permission from a number of Government agencies. The rules and procedures were quite confusing and cumbersome. What frustrated her most was the delays, callous attitude of officials and constant demand for bribes. Her experience and the experience of many others like her has deterred people from taking up social service projects. A measure of Government control over voluntary social work is necessary. But it should not be exercised in a coercive or corrupt manner.
a. What measures can you suggest to ensure that due control is exercised but well meaning, honest NGO efforts are not thwarted?
b. What can be suggested to satisfy the company’s goal and to address the residents’ concerns? (300 words) [UPSC 2016]
Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction
- Introduce the context of Saraswati’s return to India and her initiative to form an NGO for building a school in a rural community.
- Highlight the challenges faced, including bureaucratic hurdles, delays, and corruption.
- State the need for a balanced approach to government oversight that protects NGOs without stifling their efforts.
2. Stakeholders
- Identify key stakeholders:
- Saraswati and her NGO: Aiming to provide quality education.
- Government Agencies: Responsible for regulatory oversight.
- Local Community: Beneficiaries of the educational initiative.
- Potential Donors and Volunteers: Interested in supporting social causes.
3. Measures to Support Honest NGO Efforts
- Outline specific measures to ensure effective control without hindering NGO activities:
- Streamline Procedures:
- Simplify and digitize application processes for permissions (World Bank, 2021).
- Transparent Governance:
- Implement monitoring mechanisms and grievance redressal systems to promote accountability (Transparency International, 2020).
- Timely Response:
- Set clear timelines for processing applications to minimize delays and discourage corruption (Indian Administrative Service Review, 2019).
- Training of Officials:
- Provide training for government officials on the role of NGOs and the importance of facilitative governance (Ministry of Rural Development, 2022).
- Single Window System:
- Establish a centralized system for NGOs to submit applications and obtain clearances efficiently (NITI Aayog, 2021).
- Regular Audits:
- Conduct audits to ensure compliance with regulations and to identify corruption (Government of India, 2020).
- Public-Private Partnerships:
- Encourage collaboration between NGOs and government to foster joint initiatives (Council for Social Development, 2021).
4. Conclusion
- Emphasize the importance of creating a supportive environment for NGOs to thrive.
- Highlight that implementing these measures will encourage more individuals to engage in social service projects, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.
While Government control over NGOs is essential to prevent misuse and ensure transparency, cumbersome procedures and corruption can deter genuine social service efforts. To balance oversight with support for honest NGOs, effective measures must be implemented.
Challenges Faced by NGOs
Suggested Measures
Recent Examples
Conclusion Balancing regulatory oversight with support for genuine NGOs requires streamlined processes, enhanced transparency, and anti-corruption measures. By implementing these measures, the government can ensure effective control while fostering a supportive environment for honest social service efforts.
Model Answer
Introduction
The case study highlights the challenges faced by well-meaning individuals and NGOs, like Saraswati’s, in undertaking social service projects due to cumbersome government procedures, delays, and corruption. While government oversight is essential, it should not obstruct honest efforts to foster social change.
Stakeholders
Key stakeholders include:
Body
To ensure effective control over voluntary social work while supporting the efforts of dedicated NGOs, the following measures can be suggested:
Conclusion
By implementing these measures, the government can strike a balance between necessary oversight of voluntary social work and facilitating the efforts of well-meaning NGOs. This approach will encourage more individuals like Saraswati to engage in impactful social service projects, ultimately benefiting society.