PEACE - Kalanand: It's natural for the most of us to express concerns on the proposed changes im fcra as the bill is already passed in loksabha.
However the issue is much more larger than the specifics to the fcra.
If we study, two developments, the charge sheets based on the confession files in the cases related to Delhi Riots and also how the Farm Bills were passed in Rajya Sabha, we get the signs of the time, and whats in the future.
So we are in the Post NGO or CSO phase. Their role is curtailed formally, to be very non significant role or be partners with ruling elites.
So the historical role of development & resource support projects and advocacy, is going to be seriously affected.
NGOs those are partners with the government in implementing still may find space. Then there would be marker linked enterprises will have a greater role.Social Movements will have difficult future.
So what are the alternatives?
1. Reclaim the Constitution: Many believe it is worth to fight for the constitutional values, and reclaim to its core, the spirit and letter.
We have to be note that all moves by the government are Constitutional and has legal sanctity. The discussions on the cases that the court is addressing, like sudarshan, or contempt are far from any comfort.
The Constitution itself used to propagate hatred and appropriate government actions.
2. Reclaim the Identity.
To earn sanctity and legitimacy from the Constitutionalist, the liberals, many of us have served our identity on their altar to an extent we have forgotten our motives and the core mission.
This would be difficult path, but requires attention.
3. Palliative Approach: Remained focused to the growth, education, and job and be away from the political affiliations. Wait and Watch, these developments.
VANI: 21-09-2020 Request to refer FCRA bill, 2020 to a Select/Standing Committee of the Parliament
• Voluntary Action Network India (VANI), being an apex body/national association of Indian voluntary development organizations strongly feels that the FCRA bill, 2020 will be a death blow to the development relief, scientific research and community support work of the NGO community as it prohibits collaboration with other Indian organizations.
• At a time like this, when India is battling a deadly disease, with so much at stake and collaborations internationally that are to be encouraged, this would be a model of control, over and above the rules, regulations and certification processes, that stifles this important sector. The new FCRA Bill throttles the spirit of cooperation that had been ushered in earlier this year by the positive role played by development organizations in mitigating the lockdown and COVID-19 pandemic by virtually making it impossible for NGOs to function.
• These amendments assume that all NGOs receiving foreign grants are guilty, unless proved otherwise.
• This makes NGOs open to possible harassment via queries which can be raised on almost any activity. This would impede collaborations and any other constructive activity they do.
• This restriction, when added to the existing restrictions which prohibit Indian organizations which win foreign research grants from sub-contracting a foreign institution (which, in essence, means that no Indian organization can be the lead institution in an international consortium), runs against the core mission of the government’s desire to strengthen India’s science/research performance. • Collaborations even with national NGOs which are compliant with FCRA regulations, will be curtailed as the bill talks of no sub-granting, therefore killing the overall spirit of collaboration.
• The term Administrative Expenses in FCRA rules is defined to include all salaries (except for school teachers, doctors, and field researchers, trainers). This means all the salaries of outreach workers, field staff who support villagers and rural communities are also counted as administrative expenses. So this amendment will be a major blow to organisations in terms of payment of salaries, professional fees, utility bills, travel and other such expenditure. • These rules may be intended to control the vast number of NGOs which engage in dubious charitable activities. We stand with the government of India in its efforts to put down such activities. But by failing to recognize the diversity of NGOs which include world-class science organizations, they will crush their competitiveness and creativity.
• Asking 20,000 charities to move their FCRA accounts to SBI Delhi will be hugely disruptive. Many will not be able to operate these accounts properly as the home branch will be in Delhi.
• With limited domestic philanthropy, such guidelines that criminalise activities of even those certified as FCRA compliant, thousands of small NGOs which enable good work and are dependent on legal funds obtained internationally, will shut down, also endangering livelihoods of those dependent on them for a vocation. Voluntary Action Network India (VANI) New Delhi, INDIA
‘FCRA Bill will be a death blow to relief, community support work of NGOs’- https://indianexpress.com/article/india/parliament-monsoon-session-fcra-bill-will-be-a-death-blow-to-relief-community-support-work-of-ngos-6605341/