The Social Justice Ministry has made a new order asking all
non-government organisations working for the disabled persons to apply online for grants. The
initiative aimed at ensuring transparency and a level playing field for
emerging NGOs. The order has come after the ministry,
which is in charge of disbursing grants, has blacklisted five NGOs for alleged
misappropriation of funds.
According to the order, from now onwards NGOs will have to apply on a
designated website, www.ngograntsje.gov.in
, with relevant documents before inviting a “grants in aid committee” — to be
set up by the state government concerned — for an inspection of the proposed project.
Previously, NGOs had to apply to the government concerned, which would
set up committees that would report back with its recommendations on grants
after a scrutiny. The state would forward the recommendations to the central
ministry, which was expected to follow the recommendations.
Order Guidelines
§ The Ministry has
made it mandatory for all NGOs that receive grants from the government to put
up on their website details of beneficiaries along with their mobile numbers
for better monitoring and feedback of the services rendered.
§ For the current (2014-15) financial
year, all applications by NGOs seeking grant in aid for the disability sector shall be accepted
online only.
§ The grants in aid
committee will ascertain through inspections carried out, the functioning and
suitability of the NGOs applying for the grants.
§ Inspecting officers
would have to put their signature and seal with date at the end of their
reports, which should clearly mention whether the grant in aid is recommended
or not.
§ Photographic
evidence should also be enclosed with the report.
§ Any official below
this rank found to be interacting with any such representative could be liable
to appropriate disciplinary action.
§ No further grants
would be released to an NGO that has not submitted a funds-utilization report
for more than a year.
Benefits
§ Transparency: This initiative would bring in
transparency in disbursement of grants. It has become a tradition in the sector
to give grants to the same organisations over and over again. Only those NGOs
that have some network in the states get their proposals approved through bureaucrats they know. These NGOs have learnt how to
work the system.
§ Central Database System: Online procedure
system would act like a central database. It will become easier for both NGOs
as well as the ministry to have all the details online. That way approval can
come quicker and NGOs don’t have to run around with documents.
