States told to ensure reach of NGOs to unserved areas

New Delhi, June 14 (UNI) The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment today asked states to ensure that the NGOs aided by the government spread to those areas which were so far not served by them.

To make this possible, Minister Meira Kumar told a conference of state welfare secretaries, the government had introduced a new procedure to streamline the funding to NGOs.

While forwarding new cases, the states are to ensure that proposals from service deficient areas were given priority, she said.

Ms Kumar said the new norms have been introduced to increase the states' say in the promotion of voluntary activities.

Under the new procedure introduced recently, the Ministry may, in some cases, go in for field inspection by its own agency to ensure proper utilisation of funds.

The screening committee of the Ministry would take the factor of deficiently served areas into account while sanctioning funds.

This was necessitated as it has often been found that there was concentration of NGOs in some areas while several others remained neglected.

The Ministry has sent a circular to states to constitute a multi-disciplinary 'Grants in Aid Committee for supporting the Voluntary Organisations.' The Committee would examine ground functioning and suitability of the NGOs for continuation of grants through field officers.

It is to submit all proposals in one lot indicating the priority.

While formulating their recommendations, states and Union Territories would consider the needs of different areas and balance both the ongoing and as well as the new cases.

Priority would be given to continuing projects, but their gradual tapering/phasing out may be necessary in some cases to consider fresh needs.

At present there are eight NGO funding schemes -- Scheme of Grant in Aid to Voluntary Organisation Working for Scheduled Castes; Scheme for Assistance to Voluntary Organisations for the Welfare of Other Backward Classes; Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme; An Integrated Programme for Older Persons; Scheme for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substances(Drugs) Abuse and Assistance to Voluntary.

Referring to Scheduled Castes, Ms Kumar said she had written to Chief Ministers of all states and Union Territories recently requesting them to develop special package on a priority basis towards development of atrocities prone areas.

More UNI