NGOs oppose HP Societies Registration Act

Shimla, Aug 27 (UNI) Expressing resentment over certain clauses in the Himachal Pradesh Societies Registration Bill passed in the monsoon session of the Assembly, several NGOs have demanded these amended, saying the Bill, in its present form, would affect their independent functioning.

Addressing a press conference here, representatives of SUTRA, HPVHA, SRDA and CREATOR demanded the deletion of Section 35 to 42 of the Bill and said they would approach the High Court in case the government fails to redress their grievances.

Besides, Section three of the Bill should be re-drafted and the list of subjects under which a Society could be registered must be enlarged, they said.

We also demand the constitution of a committee, which includes representatives from voluntary agencies working at state level, to frame the rules under the proposed Act to minimize its effects,Ғ SUTRA Director, Subhash Mendhapurkar said.

He alleged that the state government had adopted a non-participatory and undemocratic approach ''by passing the Bill without taking voluntary agencies which have been working in the field for a long time, into confidence.

''The voluntary agencies have also been acting as watchdogs in the society and had taken a lead in raising the issues affecting the society,'' Mr Mendhapurkar said.

He said the NGOs have successfully highlighted the issues of Right to Information, female focticide, female health issues, empowerment of women and the weaker sections of the society, human rights, besides other important issues.

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