Election Commission of India Launches National Contact Centre

National Contact Centre toll-free No. 1800111950

Every vote counts. And so does every voter. Serving every elector flawlessly is the commitment of Election Commission of India that it has lived up to time and again.  The Commission has added another feather to its cap with the launch of National Contact Centre with a toll-free No. 1800111950. Now any citizen from any part of the country can call on the toll-free in English or Hindi with any query or complaint at any time of the day. Callers can enquire on subjects such as elections, voting dates, EPIC, electoral roll, online registration etc.  and lodge a complaint by simply dialing in to the toll free no. Not only this, executives also make outbound calls for educating the electors and spreading voter awareness.

 
The National Contact Centre is operated on a National Grievance Redressal System Software. This software is a single window platform to manage complaints and feedback received through calls, emails, sms and website access in an integrated and time-bound manner. Callers may connect with the executives to register a complaint and know about its status of receipt and disposal as well as to give suggestions and feedback at every step of the way.

 
The Contact Centre is Commission's step forward towards bringing about electoral reforms where citizens and officials are empowered to monitor and report any anomaly or violation of ECI instructions in the field before, during or post elections.

 
Each state and UT will also soon setup and operationalize dedicated State Contact Centre (SCC) and District Contact Centre (DCC) to ensure seamless flow of information across the contact centers for handling issues/ query from citizens. National Contact Centre will build IT protocols to ensure that any call landing at NCC are properly redirected to the respective State Contact Centre.

It is expected that on operationalization of Integrated Contact Centre, ECI will be able to provide multilingual support to all the citizens across the nation in a decentralized and integrated manner.

 
ICT 2025 Vision Document

ICT 2025 is about setting up core IT infrastructure and process to consolidate multitude of election process and functions.

 
The ICT 2025 Vision Document heralds the beginning of what we call as Digitalization instead of just Digitization. Digitalization is the key strategy in ICT 2025. It is the strategy of adopting recent technologies and consolidating existing technologies in IT to make the most of the digital resources available in the Election ecosystem.

 Launch of ICT 2025 Vision Document by the Hon'ble Commission
 
The ICT 2025 Projects which capitalise on Digitalization, will capture both Electoral Process and the conduct of elections. There are four major components of the ICT 2025.

 
1.     Integrated Software application

2.     GIS, Analytic and Integrated Contact Centre

3.     IT infrastructure including data center, IT security, disaster recovery

4.     Knowledge Management, Capacity building and social media engagement

Further Election Commission has launched 'Annual Report 2017' & 'Electoral Statistics Pocket book 2017' &  'IT in Elections Booklet'.

Source: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=161722

 

India’s Crackdown on Nonprofits and the Need for a Comprehensive Sector Strengthening Strategy

In a recent hearing, India's Supreme Court explored the possibility of a new law to regulate NGO fund utilization. However, in a recent article in India's The Wire, Pushpa Sundar wrote, "What is needed is not just a law to regulate NGOs, but a comprehensive reform of the entire NGO charity sector."

One of the Supreme Court's proposals requires NGOs to "furnish a bond equivalent to the grant given to them, to be enacted by the government in case the funds are misused or misappropriated." NPQ has been following India's crackdown on nonprofits accepting foreign aid and those that lack accountability.

Sundar advises that any new regulator should also focus on implementing and enforcing the laws already in effect. Further, she proposes that the role of a charities regulator is "to effectively secure compliance with the charity laws of the land in a fair, transparent and nonpartisan manner, free from political influence to enhance public trust and confidence in both the regulator and the charities."

A report written by the Sampradaan Indian Centre for Philanthropy some years ago (when Sundar was the director) made reform recommendations still relevant today. In addition to short-term measures for the implementation and enforcement of current laws, it proposed the simplification of procedures, and the monitoring of malpractice and applications of sanctions. "It had also recommended a public register of charities to serve as a central record, like they have in Hong Kong, UK, and other countries."

However, the report notes that in order to overcome systemic problems, the Supreme Court should enact a "comprehensive central law to legally incorporate non­profit organizations, perhaps along the lines of the Charities Act in the UK…which gives it jurisdiction over all matters concerning charities, including regulatory powers." Further, the new law "should be flexible enough to offer registration for different types or organizations (trusts, societies and companies)," distinguishing between development organizations, chambers, and other professional membership bodies. The new agency could be called "the National Charities Commission, as in the UK." This hope that comprehensive NGO reform will ensure not only accountability but political impartiality may or may not work, but it almost certainly requires some organizing of associations outside of the government's purview so that the sector's voice is coherent and independent.—Cyndi Suarez

ABOUT CYNDI SUAREZ

Cyndi Suarez is the Senior Editor at NPQ. She is the author of the forthcoming "Power Play | Enacting Freedom," in which she outlines a new theory of power, and "Power Games," a companion manual. She has worked as a strategy and innovation consultant with a focus on networks and platforms. She studied Feminist Theory and organizational development for social change.

 
Source: https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2017/05/11/indias-crackdown-nonprofits-need-comprehensive-sector-strengthening-strategy/

German consulate fights against trafficking

Summary: Jabala works on the issues focusing Human Trafficking, HIV/AIDS, Child Marriage, Child Abuse & Migration. KOLKATA: On 06 May 2017 the NGO Jabala organized a 'Panchayat level sensitization meeting' on preventing human trafficking at Balti-Nittanandakati Gram Panchayat of Swarupnagar Block/ North 24 Parganas. The work model of Jabala revolves around the four tenets of development: Identity needs, Provide materials & services, Build capacities and Empowerment. Enthusiastic students of local high schools and college, school teachers, civic and ICDS-volunteers, village supervisors, local NGOs, religious leader, local political leader, panchayat members and police officers actively participated in the program with discussions and group work.This 'Panchayat level sensitization meeting' comes under a networking and awareness building project by NGO Jabala to fight against Human Trafficking, called 'SAMPARKA', which is funded by the German Consulate General Kolkata on behalf of the German Federal Foreign Office.The aim of this eight-month long project in West Bengal is to sensitize the affected population and the policy makers including the police, about the existing problem and how to prevent human trafficking through inclusive participation. Through the project 'SAMPARKA' over 1,85,000 people will be reached in four districts (Alipurduar, Birbhum, Murshidabad and North 24 Parganas) and 12 Human Rights Defenders System as well as Adolescent Peer Groups will be formed with girls & local stakeholders represented by youth club members, self-help groups members, women's groups, local NGOs and community-based organisations to prevent violence against women & girls with focus on Trafficking.Jabala Action Research Organisation, a Human rights organisation established in 1992, has been working with marginalized children, violence survivors and youth of red light areas, slum and rural areas with an aim to empower them.

 
KOLKATA: On 06 May 2017 the NGO Jabala organized a 'Panchayat level sensitization meeting' on preventing human trafficking at Balti-Nittanandakati Gram Panchayat of Swarupnagar Block/ North 24 Parganas. Enthusiastic students of local high schools and college, school teachers, civic and ICDS-volunteers, village supervisors, local NGOs, religious leader, local political leader, panchayat members and police officers actively participated in the program with discussions and group work.This 'Panchayat level sensitization meeting' comes under a networking and awareness building project by NGO Jabala to fight against Human Trafficking, called 'SAMPARKA', which is funded by the German Consulate General Kolkata on behalf of the German Federal Foreign Office.The aim of this eight-month long project in West Bengal is to sensitize the affected population and the policy makers including the police, about the existing problem and how to prevent human trafficking through inclusive participation. Through the project 'SAMPARKA' over 1,85,000 people will be reached in four districts (Alipurduar, Birbhum, Murshidabad and North 24 Parganas) and 12 Human Rights Defenders System as well as Adolescent Peer Groups will be formed with girls & local stakeholders represented by youth club members, self-help groups members, women's groups, local NGOs and community-based organisations to prevent violence against women & girls with focus on Trafficking.Jabala Action Research Organisation, a Human rights organisation established in 1992, has been working with marginalized children, violence survivors and youth of red light areas, slum and rural areas with an aim to empower them.

Jabala works on the issues focusing Human Trafficking, HIV/AIDS, Child Marriage, Child Abuse & Migration. The work model of Jabala revolves around the four tenets of development: Identity needs, Provide materials & services, Build capacities and Empowerment.. .

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/german-consulate-fights-against-trafficking/articleshow/58627085.cms

Source: https://www.nyoooz.com/news/kolkata/808987/german-consulate-fights-against-trafficking

Fwd: Women Transforming India Awards 2017

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Govt tightens noose on NGOs; asks them open core accounts in public banks

Registration of more than 10,000 NGOs have been cancelled over the last three years

Tightening the rules for NGOs (Non-governmental organisation), the Home Ministry has asked as many as 5,845 organisations to open their accounts in banks having core banking facilities and furnish details for real-time access to security agencies in case of any discrepancy.

 It is the latest in a series of steps taken by the NDA government aimed at checking "errant" NGOs, especially those receiving foreign funding.

Registration of more than 10,000 NGOs have been cancelled and more than 1,300 have been denied a renewal over the last three years for various violations.

The move came after it was detected that many NGOs have their bank accounts in cooperative banks or state government- owned apex banks or banks which do not have core banking facilities, official sources said.

In March, Business Standard had reported that as many as 11,319 NGOs were barred from receiving foreign funds as their Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licences had expired with effect from November 1, 2016 and registration of more than 14,000 NGOs was cancelled for violating the law.

 
As of now, there are around 24,000 active NGOs in the country as against 40,000 in 2014-15.

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/govt-tightens-noose-on-ngos-asks-them-open-core-accounts-in-public-banks-117051100329_1.html

Skill development needed for Indians applying for jobs in Gulf

Summary: Hyderabad: Lack of professional skills in job seekers moving to Gulf for jobs, are being exploited at workplace believes NGO's Welfare Society. He warned the job seekers to leave only when they get their Employment Visa's, which will be provided by the Companies or the Gulf employer. NGO's helping them to get job's in Gulf are of the opinion that they should be certified in various technical skills in order to work there. Once in the Gulf, he hands the women over to another agent and collects up to Rs 1 lakh from them. Based on these certificates, they got jobs in Gulf.

Hyderabad: Lack of professional skills in job seekers moving to Gulf for jobs, are being exploited at workplace believes NGO's Welfare Society. NGO's helping them to get job's in Gulf are of the opinion that they should be certified in various technical skills in order to work there. The first initiative taken up was by the YSR Government to help the job seekers with giving them training and certifying the candidates in various technical skills in order to get jobs in Gulf and it did so continued till Congress Government was in power said Ex- Minister Mohammed Shabbir Ali. He quoted saying "We trained about 10,000 workers in construction works, plumbing, electrical works, carpentry and others at National Academy of Construction. Labour without skills or those who were semi-skilled got professional with 4-month courses. The government released funds for accommodation and other expenses for trainees during the training period.

Based on these certificates, they got jobs in Gulf. The present government is neglecting such training programs." The government should establish a new body to train job seekers in Gulf says M. Kodandaram, Chairman of Telangana Joint Action Committee Welfare NGO's who are working towards the progress of job seekers in Gulf are warning them about the categories of visas and the local laws of the country they are moving to work with. President Shaik Chand Pasha of Welfare Members Society advises candidates to be cautious to not fall into traps of agents who would mousetrap them by offering 'Azad Visa's' which gives a permit to the worker to work for consistent two years. He continued "Azad visa is for poor Arabs who are willing to establish a small scale unit.

Source: http://www.siasat.com/news/skill-development-needed-indians-applying-jobs-gulf-1182762

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Educational Trusts Seeking Minority Status Must Register As NGOs With NITI Aayog, Says Govt

Any institution, after obtaining the minority status certificate, can admit the students from its community.

Every educational trust or society that seeks minority status now muct register themselves with the NITI Aayog as an NGO.

The new rule, which was introduced on March 1, by the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) says "all petitioners will have to submit unique ID as given by the NITI Aayog portal NGO Darpan regardless of whether they are seeking government aid or not," reported The Telegraph.

Any institution, after obtaining the minority status certificate, can admit the students from its community. Neither the policy of reservation on admission can be enforced by the State nor any quota or percentage of admissions can be carved out to be appropriate by the State in a minority education institution.

While a previous chariman of the commission termed the notice "unconstitutional" while talking to the paper, many think that this would discourage the minorities from setting up institutions.

"If a minority institution is not taking any funds from the central or state governments, there is no need to seek any unique ID of the Niti Aayog," the former chairman of NCMEI was quoted as saying to the paper.

Since its inception in 2004, the minority education commission has awarded minority status certificates to nearly 13,000 institutions in the country. However, till now, the commission had not asked any applicant to register with Darpan, the report added.

Article 30 of the Constitution clearly states that "all minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice".

 

 

Govt tells NGOs to open bank accounts in core banking format

Under core banking system, all the branches of the networked banks are interconnected This would allow the security agencies to access the accounts of the NGOs on real time basis, the sources said

New Delhi, May 10 Tightening the rules for NGOs, the Home Ministry has asked as many as 5,845 organisations to open their accounts in banks having core banking facilities and furnish details for real time access to security agencies in case of any discrepancy.

It is the latest in a series of steps taken by the NDA government aimed at checking "errant" NGOs, especially those receiving foreign funding. Registration of more than 10,000 NGOs have been cancelled and more than 1,300 have been denied a renewal over the last three years for various violations.

As of now, there are around 24,000 active NGOs in the country as against 40,000 in 2014-15.

In a communication, 3,768 NGOs have been told that their bank accounts are not available as per core banking format while 2,077 NGOs have been asked to furnish bank accounts details as no such data is available with the home ministry.

The move came after it was detected that many NGOs have their bank accounts in cooperative banks or state government- owned apex banks or banks which do not have core banking facilities, official sources said.

The home ministry wants that all NGOs registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act mandatorily have their accounts in either nationalised banks or in a few private banks which have core banking facilities.

Under core banking system, all the branches of the networked banks are interconnected. This would allow the security agencies to access the accounts of the NGOs on real time basis, the sources said.

The government has already cancelled registration of more than 10,000 NGOs in the last three years for allegedly non-filing of annual returns as mandated in the FCRA.

In addition, renewals of more than 1,300 NGOs have been denied or closed in recent past for allegedly violating various provisions of the FCRA.

In November, 2016, the government had directed more than 11,000 NGOs to file applications for renewal of registration by February 28, 2017.

Of the above, 3,500 NGOs have filed applications for renewal till February 2017. Registration of more than 7,000 NGOs were deemed expired due to non-filing of renewal applications.

Source: http://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/medium-sugar-edges-up-on-mild-demand/1047188?scroll

Educational Trusts Seeking Minority Status Must Register As NGOs With NITI Aayog, Says Govt

Any institution, after obtaining the minority status certificate, can admit the students from its community.
 
Every educational trust or society that seeks minority status now must register themselves with the NITI Aayog as an NGO.

The new rule, which was introduced on March 1, by the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) says "all petitioners will have to submit unique ID as given by the NITI Aayog portal NGO Darpan regardless of whether they are seeking government aid or not," reported The Telegraph.

Any institution, after obtaining the minority status certificate, can admit the students from its community. Neither the policy of reservation on admission can be enforced by the State nor any quota or percentage of admissions can be carved out to be appropriate by the State in a minority education institution.
 
While a previous chariman of the commission termed the notice "unconstitutional" while talking to the paper, many think that this would discourage the minorities from setting up institutions.

"If a minority institution is not taking any funds from the central or state governments, there is no need to seek any unique ID of the Niti Aayog," the former chairman of NCMEI was quoted as saying to the paper.

Since its inception in 2004, the minority education commission has awarded minority status certificates to nearly 13,000 institutions in the country. However, till now, the commission had not asked any applicant to register with Darpan, the report added.

Article 30 of the Constitution clearly states that "all minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice".

Source: http://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/educational-trusts-seeking-minority-status-must-register-as-ngos-with-niti-aayog/298826