Politician run NGOs: money minting machines in J&K

Politician run NGOs: money minting machines in J&K

Yash Khajuria                                                                7/28/2011 9:19:51 PM

JAMMU, July 28: Despite having 3500 registered Non-Governmental Organizations in Jammu and Kashmir, majority of them have become money minting machines, rather than contributing anything for the upliftment of the needy. 

Added to this is the politician-NGO nexus, with many of the leaders operating NGOs in the name of their family members, thus drawing benefits of the government plus funds. 

While some NGOs are running by sincere individuals and have taken up several projects, and don’t seek any personal favour, but many of the organisations active in the state act as ‘milch cows’ for those controlling them. 

Many of the politicians, political leaders in the state have formed their NGO’s headed by their family members or relatives, and they use their contacts to ensure a huge flow of funding to the organizations. 

Ashwani Kumar, a senior citizen said that several senior officials and “think-tanks” had set up NGOs after retirements, which are only creative in the ways in which they accumulate funds in crores. Many times, the so-called independent NGO acts as a mouthpiece for political parties, expressing their point of views as public opinion. 

He added that all such organizations are there to improve their functioning and work in close coordination with the government for achieving common goals. There has been little ground work on various issues concerning women and children in the state while human rights issues usually get politicize. 

It is pertinent to mention that any political leader or government official is not authorized for running a NGO as the provision mentions. Despite of that no action has been taken yet by the concerned authority to control the increasing ratio of political indulgence in the Non Governmental Organisations. 

When contacted to Director Societies B.S. Dua has informed that a discussion with the Government regarding the matter is in progress as a result of which we could be able to make these Non Governmental Organizations free from political leaders and government officials. 

He said that there is no existing law or act to de-register any NGO if found violating the provision made for running NGO’s when asked about the actions against NGOs running illegally.