Title: Need to develop mechanism to monitor the functioning of Non-Government Organisations.
SHRI BALASAHEB VIKHE PATIL (AHMEDNAGAR): Non-government organisations have a crucial role to play, particularly so far as rural development is concerned. But unfortunately, of late many NGOs have played this role quite erroneously. A large number of NGOs depend only on the funds which they receive from foreign donor agencies. It is a matter of great regret that these NGOs have lost their autonomy in return for such financial assistance. Not only this, NGOs have quite frequently misutilised and misappropriated money. In many cases, funds have been used by voluntary workers for their or their relatives’ benefits. There are NGOs leaders who adopt pompous life style with the help of the organisation’s money. Some NGOs have even maintained links with foreign donor agencies to finance programmes which have nothing to do with the objectives they have pledged for. Many NGOs are serving a particular community and nurturing sectarian deals thereby causing harm to the social fabric of the society. There are serious lacunae in the functioning of NGOs which have become closed entities and lost their transparency.
I, therefore, strongly appeal to the Government to develop a mechanism to monitor the functioning of the NGOs so that the funds and grants given to these are properly utilised.
SHRI BHUBANESWAR KALITA (GUWAHATI): Sir, what about Lunch-break?
MR. SPEAKER: I have requested the Members to forego the Lunch-break today. There will be no Lunch-break today.
SHRI BHUBANESWAR KALITA : But, Sir, the sense of the House was not taken.
MR. SPEAKER: I request the Members to cooperate with the Chair.
PROF. P.J. KURIEN (MAVELIKARA): It is only a procedural matter. You have to take the sense of the House.
MR. SPEAKER: I now take the sense of the House and request the Members to forego the Lunch-break today.
PROF. P.J. KURIEN : Sir, we will go by your ruling but please do not deny our right.
MR. SPEAKER: If the Members forego lunch for one day, it is also good for their health!
PROF. P.J. KURIEN : We agree with it but you have to take the sense of the House.
13.00 hrs.