GANGTOK, 21 Nov: All non-governmental organizations [NGOs] seeking grants from the State government will now have meet certain guidelines to become eligible for such grants. As of now, the more than 1,800 NGOs registered with the Law Department were not required to do much by way of following any rules, regulations or prescribed guidelines. The government, this time around, has also recognized that many of the registered NGOs are not active or actively engaged in any programmes and projects as they should be. Moreover, it is common knowledge that many are also formed to secure funding from agencies within and outside the state.
Interestingly, and in consideration of the above mentioned point, of many NGOs not being active, the government has prescribed that any NGO seeking grants-in-aid from the government should have worked actively for at least 2 years at the time of applying for the grant. Such NGOs will have to be registered under Notification No. 2602 A/H dated 25 March, 1960 or Sikkim Regulation of Societies Association and other Voluntary Organization Act 2008.
All such NGOs are required to have a properly constituted managing body with its powers, functions and responsibility clearly defined and laid down in writing.
More importantly, it is now prescribed that NGOs should have the required resources, infrastructure and trained personnel in the field that they have undertaken.
Non governmental organizations should not be run for profit to any individual or to a body of individuals and should have a bond/ joint account or the members of the managing committee.
As per the new guidelines, the NGOs should not be discriminatory in nature and should also procure a No Objection Certificate from the relevant department.
NGOs seeking funds from the State will also have to have their documents in order not only those pertaining to the organization but also to their schemes and projects. This includes having a renewal certificate for new projects, budget estimates for the financial year, audited accounts for previous years, annual reports and statement of income and expenditure.
In addition, such organizations will now have to also produce audited utilization certificates, Memorandum of Understanding/ Trust deed including Rules and Regulations/ byelaws and details of staff employed.
Also sought by the government are details of gender wise beneficiaries being benefited by the said Non-Governmental Organization and the scheme specific guidelines.
The government seems to be getting serious about the functioning of NGOs in the state with it directing that their accounts are to be always open to checking by officers of the Social Justice Department as well as monitoring of their activities.
Interestingly, and in consideration of the above mentioned point, of many NGOs not being active, the government has prescribed that any NGO seeking grants-in-aid from the government should have worked actively for at least 2 years at the time of applying for the grant. Such NGOs will have to be registered under Notification No. 2602 A/H dated 25 March, 1960 or Sikkim Regulation of Societies Association and other Voluntary Organization Act 2008.
All such NGOs are required to have a properly constituted managing body with its powers, functions and responsibility clearly defined and laid down in writing.
More importantly, it is now prescribed that NGOs should have the required resources, infrastructure and trained personnel in the field that they have undertaken.
Non governmental organizations should not be run for profit to any individual or to a body of individuals and should have a bond/ joint account or the members of the managing committee.
As per the new guidelines, the NGOs should not be discriminatory in nature and should also procure a No Objection Certificate from the relevant department.
NGOs seeking funds from the State will also have to have their documents in order not only those pertaining to the organization but also to their schemes and projects. This includes having a renewal certificate for new projects, budget estimates for the financial year, audited accounts for previous years, annual reports and statement of income and expenditure.
In addition, such organizations will now have to also produce audited utilization certificates, Memorandum of Understanding/ Trust deed including Rules and Regulations/ byelaws and details of staff employed.
Also sought by the government are details of gender wise beneficiaries being benefited by the said Non-Governmental Organization and the scheme specific guidelines.
The government seems to be getting serious about the functioning of NGOs in the state with it directing that their accounts are to be always open to checking by officers of the Social Justice Department as well as monitoring of their activities.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Readers are invited to comment on, criticise, run down, even appreciate if they like something in this blog. Comments carrying abusive/ indecorous language and personal attacks, except when against the people working on this blog, will be deleted. It will be exciting for all to enjoy some earnest debates on this blog...