Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Letter to Editor
NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS:
PROBLEMS & REMEDIES IN INDIA
Abstract
NGO are non-profit making agencies that are constituted with a vision by a group of like minded
people, committed for the uplift of the poor, marginalized, unprivileged, underprivileged,
impoverished, downtrodden and the needy and they are closer and accessible to the target groups.
Фlexible in administration, quicker in decision making, timely in action and facilitating the people
towards self-reliance ensuring their fullest participation in the whole process of development. The
achievements and success of NGOs in various fields and the excellent work done by them in specific
areas is no doubt a tremendous task that has helped to meet the changing needs of the social system.
However, insprite of its achievements in various fields, NGOs are facing different problems which
differ from organization to organization, region to region. In this context, an attempt is made in this
paper to discuss some of the common problems faced by the NGOs and to give some remedies to
overcome these problems.
emerged within the NGO movement, Ninth Plan envisaged involving NGOs right
emphasizing the importance of professional from the planning process. In 1999 the
approach based on sound management, SGSY scheme had been launched merging
planning and co-ordination. People’s various Rural Development Schemes like
participation in development was much IRDP, JRY etc., Group-lending remains the
pronounced in 1980s. A parallel major thrust. As NGOs have done
development was the creation of resource pioneering work in SHG promotion, they are
agencies which work directly with the poor being extensively involved in influencing the
and also provide support services to other SHGs.
NGOs in the form of training, evaluation and
documentation (Umukoro, 2009).
In the year 1983 a new organization called 3. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Council for Advancement of Rural
Technologies (CART) was set up to improve In India and abroad, several studies have
conditions in rural areas. In 1986, CART been made on voluntary organizations
was merged with People Action for working in urban as well as rural areas.
Development in India (PADI) to form Much of the literature on voluntary
Council for the Advancement of People’s organizations in Indian settings has come
Action and Rural Technology (CAPART) from traditional social work.
and its main thrust was in the areas of Many of the Anthropologists, Sociologists
employment, income generation, creation of and Political Scientists are engaged in the
community assets and fulfilment of basic study of the voluntary organizations.
needs like housing and drinking water Unfortunately, communication among the
(2000). disciplines about their findings has been far
In 1990s empowerment approach gained from adequate.
momentum. NGOs began to perform Michael Banton’s essay (1957) on the
advocacy and lobbying in order to meet the Anthropological Aspects of Voluntary
challenges and threats of macro forces Associations notes that “Voluntary
towards the rural poor and marginalized. As Associations become more common and
NGOs have grown in size and influence, significant as societies advance in
their activities have brought them into closer technology, complexity and scale”.
contact with the Government. The NGOs are According to Banton, the associations
recognized by the government in rural function as a means of “organizing people in
reconstruction work. They received explicit order to achieve new ends, such as the
recognition from the government in the latter raising of capital, the regulation of prices and
half of 1980s. The Seventh Five Year Plan the provision of extra labour (Stefanovic et
(1986-1990) emphasized the involvement of al., 2010).
voluntary agencies in various proposed David sills, a sociologist , emphasizes the
projects. The Eighth Plan further gave credit latent functions as opposed to the manifest
to NGOs and encouraged them to participate functions of voluntary associations and
in the innovative projects like Agro Climatic distinguishes between the functions of
Regional Planning (ACRP), the watershed associations for individuals and those for
development project under DPAP etc. The society. David smith has also reviewed the
K. L. Latha / SJM 6 (1) (2011) 109 - 121 113
contributions of formal voluntary Organizations, the latter scoring better over
organizations for society, attempting to fit his the former.
analysis into a Parson Ian framework. He Alliband Terry’s study of voluntary
asserts that the organizations perform a role agencies (1983) as rural development agents
in each to Talcott Parsons four structural – focuses on the most widely known
functional categories of analysis, thus successful experiments by voluntary
contributing to societal goal attainment, agencies such as Martandam and Sriniketan.
integration, pattern maintenance and The author’s insightful comments indicate
adaptation. some of the major advantages and drawbacks
The civic culture study which is based on of voluntary agencies in the national rural
over 5,000 interviews conducted in the development efforts of the third world
United States, Great Britain, Germany, Italy nations.
and Mexico carried out by political K.A. Suresh’s (1990) study deals with the
scientists, Gabrial Almond and Sidney Verba levels of participation of beneficiaries in the
(1963) suggest that differences in the development programmes of select NGOs in
political culture and socialization Kerala. The author found that NGOs are not
experiences of the citizens account for working as participatory organizations to the
differences in the amount, kind and effects of extent desired. The rates of participation of
voluntary participation in nations which are beneficiaries and institutional arrangements
equally urban in character. For example, for participation are found to be very low.
fewer Germans than Americans belong to The beneficiaries are also found to be not
organizations and of those who belong to a keen in getting represented in decision-
significantly smaller percentage of the making bodies and planning process.
Germans are active participating members Vanitha Vishwanath’s (1993) study
(46 percent of the Americans compared with evaluates and compares the role of two
16 percent of the Germans are active). NGOs i.e Integrated Development Service
Shalini Mehta (1980) has made an attempt and Gram Vikas in promoting women
to analyse achievements and failures of the development. She found that Gram Vikas is
Government and Voluntary Agencies (VAs) working more effectively than Integrated
in the villages of Mandla District of Madhya Development Service. This is because that
Pradesh in the spheres of health and Gram Vikas programmes are designed in
education. It was found that the Voluntary such a way that they yield quick results and
Organization Banwasi Sewa Ashram is are sensitive to the immediate needs of the
working more effectively in the field of people.
education rather than the Government Vijay Mahajan (1994) made an attempt to
department, where as in the case of health, examine the role of NGOs and training
both Voluntary and Government institutions in DWCRA programme. His
Organizations failed to reach the tribal study emphasizes that there is a need for the
people because the tribals continue to view NGOs and training institutions to make
the modern system of medicine with DWCRA programme more effective.
superstition and contempt. However, Mehta Roger C.Riddel and Mark Robinson
finds a clear distinction between the efforts (1995) in their evaluation of sixteen projects
of the Government and Voluntary on rural poverty alleviation carried out by
114 K. L. Latha / SJM 6 (1) (2011) 109 - 121
NGOs in India, Bangladesh, Uganda and Tumkur district in Karnataka state. For
Zimbabwe provided a detailed assessment of almost a decade the NGO has been
the contribution of NGOs to alleviate rural organizing the women to form SHGs to meet
poverty. They found that NGO projects were their felt needs and enable them to
successful and effective in improving the participate in planning and implementation
social status of the poor; however, not all the of their own developmental programmes.
projects were successful in reaching the Besides, it has been conducting social and
poor. health awareness campaigns to eliminate
S. Mohanan (2000) points out that NGOs superstitious customs, attitude and thinking
have been playing a very important role in related to poverty and child birth which are
the country over the last quarter of the blocking the progress of tribal women. He
century in the sphere of social development. concluded that the work and dedication
He opines that NGOs are a powerful tool in among the women from Kadu Golla
poverty alleviation and development. He community and effort of the Abhivruddi
considers that “The role of NGOs is more have brought about changes in the customs,
significant and pronounced in the sphere of attitude, thinking and approach. Along with
micro credit. The rich experience of NGOs in the NGO, the Government too has played a
the sphere of credit union and their grass root vital role in empowering Kadu Golla women
level involvement with the poor and their socially and bringing them into the
problems is a potential factor that affirms mainstream of the society.
their elevated role in the sphere of micro M. Ramesh Singh (2004) has made an
credit” (ibid : 22-23). He believes that attempt to provide better understanding of
“NGOs will have a more elevated role in NGOs working in Manipur and their
micro credit and through it the empowerment problems by taking up micro level study. He
of women in days to come” (ibid: 28). conducted a survey during 2000-2001 in two
D.K. Gosh (2001) opines that attacking tribal villages in Manipur by name
poverty and its reduction to an appreciable Khangshin and Minou. He concluded that
extent seems to be not manageable only by NGOs are playing active role in development
the Government sector. He considers activities in the fields of education, health
Government Organizations need and sanitation, women and children to
collaboration and co-operation from other improve the quality of life.
than Government institutions for creating Pradeep Kumar (2005) observed that last
opportunities, facilitating empowerment and two decades have been witness to
providing security for the poor. The author tremendous growth of NGOs, both national
argues that, there is need for the Non and international. There is an urgent need
Governmental organizations to fight against that Government Organizations and NGOs
poverty. He prefers NGOs because they have act in collaboration for rural development.
greater accountability to the poor, as they He supported his statement by an empirical
work among the poor, while the official case study of Udaipur district of south
system is yet to be totally pro-poor. Rajasthan including two district Voluntary
M. Gurulingaiah (2002) observed that an initiatives to support government. Both are
NGO by name ‘Abhivruddi’ empowered distinct in structure and function but have
women in rural areas of Gubbi Taluk of common objectives to strengthen local
K. L. Latha / SJM 6 (1) (2011) 109 - 121 115
governance and people’s participation. companies to integrate sustainability
F.A Kuponiyi and A.A. Ladele (2007) strategies in business operations. This paper
explored that NGOs are very reliable in focuses on a study undertaken among a
effective adaptation and transfer of number of non-government organizations in
technology to farmers, delivery of Hong Kong. The study reveals a significant
agricultural support services and effective influence from the management on the
vehicles for alleviating rural poverty. His willingness of adoption and sustainable
study investigated the performance of two development performance. This further
agricultural based NGOs in their effort to confirms the importance on promoting the
improve the lots of small scale resource – sustainability development at the operational
poor farmers in Southwestern Nigeria level, with top management to provide clear
Farmers Development Union (FADU), an strategic direction and supportive resources
enterprise building organization and and environment.
Diocesan Agricultural Development
Programmes (DADP), a capacity building
organization were studied. The unique 4. PROBLEMS OF NGOs
features of their strategies were organization
of farmers into cooperative groups, attention RASS, Rural Reconstruction Society
to supply of inputs, firm arrangement for the (RRS), Social Activities For Rural
provision of farm credit, and clientele Development Society (SARDS), Community
participation in decision making. Action For Literacy and Livelihood (CALL),
Achievement of the beneficiaries lagged ASSIST, Rural Aid Service Organisation
behind in the case of DADP where input (RASO), Society for National Integration
supply was largely left in the hands of the through Rural Development (SNIRD), Rural
farmers because of its capacity-building Development Society (RDS), Rural and
ideology. He conducted the NGOs needed Urban Development Society etc., are the
more donor assistance to enable them expand some of the NGOs in India are facing the
the scope of their operations. following major problems.
Kris M.Y. Law (2009) in his paper
investigated the key factors affecting the 4.1. Lack of Funds
sustainability development strategies
adoption and implementation in non- Most of the NGOs in India are suffering
government organizations. Research from paucity of funds. Government does not
framework linking the key factors affecting give cent percent grants in aid or make delay
company's adoption of sustainability in sanctions of grants for numerous
development strategies, the willingness and programmes. NGOs have to make matching
the current situation of applying sustainable contributions which they are some times
strategies is proposed. Results have unable to manage and are, therefore, unable
suggested the significant correlation between to avail themselves of the grants. Now a
motivating factors from the four key day’s charity is not so strong in the minds
dimensions, the willingness of NGOs' and hearts of the people as it was in the
adoption of sustainable development ancient society. This was another region for
strategies, and the impacts on the practices of languish of funds for NGOs.
116 K. L. Latha / SJM 6 (1) (2011) 109 - 121
It is believed that the personnel working It has been observed that there is a growing
in NGOs may be of personnel working in tendency towards monopolization and
such organizations is a sense of dedication interlocking of leadership at the top level of
and commitment and interest in the social voluntary action groups and organizations as is
services. NGOs earlier were assumed to be reflected in the same person being the
served by unpaid social workers imbued with president in one organization, secretary in the
the spirit of service and did not require any other, treasurer in the third and a member of
special education or training. But the present the executive in the fourth. This interlocking
trend who are having professional education of leadership can be advantageous in
are not interested to work with NGOs. Their formulating, coordinated policies, programmes
and activities, facilitating exchange of
vision has been changed and are interested to
technical know-how and experience and
work in urban areas only. Therefore, it is
mobilizing people for a common goal. But the
very difficult to get trained persons who are
greatest disadvantage of such leadership is that
either willing or trained to work in the rural fresh blood is not allowed to flow into the
society where most of NGOs work. organization and leadership.
Moreover, these professionally trained
K. L. Latha / SJM 6 (1) (2011) 109 - 121 117
4.6. Lack of Public Participation common forum also incapacitates NGOs to
offer united stand against the government
NGOs are meant to provide opportunities when it humiliates them by extraneous
to the citizens for democratic participation considerations at the behest of politicians
but they have not been able to fulfill this and egoistic government officers.
obligation due to the method and manner in Moreover, the state of affairs also does
which they function, and failed to attract not facilitate exchange of information, data
people, interested in construction work and collection, research, training and publication
develop channels for peoples enthusiastic and also does not create favorable conditions
participation. Some of the factors where common difficulties can be placed
responsible for such a state of affairs are before the government.
general backwardness of the people, absence
of adequate number of dedicated persons, 4.9. Lack of Volunteerism/Social work
over emphasis on targets and time bound among Youth
programmes, political interference and
vested interests, easy availability of funds The basic characteristic of NGO is
without proper planning and assessment of volunteerism. In early days, youth are
felt needs and safeguards for the community, making their career in volunteerism but that
distrust of agencies and workers who do not enthusiasm seems to have faded these days.
have a base in the community and are unable The extent of volunteerism is declining day
to win its support and lack of by day and turning it into
decentralization which could give a feeling professionalisation. Even the young
of being partners in development rather than graduates from social work are interested in
development being thrust from above. making their career in professionalism. This
leads to lack of efficient volunteers in NGOs.
4.7. Centralization in Urban Areas
4.10. Modernization
NGOs are more developed in urban areas
as compared to rural areas. The Because of modernization,
backwardness and ignorance of the rural professionalisation and introduction of
people and lack of enthusiasm among social management techniques, the traditional
workers to among them in the absence of NGOs need certain minimum, infrastructure
availability of minimum comforts are the and administrative expenses. Unfortunately,
two important reasons for the backwardness grants-in-aid rules do not allow for such
of the NGOs in rural areas. administrative expenditure except
contingencies. This leads to evaporations of
4.8. Lack of Coordination traditional NGOs in the country which use to
lead by great leaders.
The absence of coordination between
NGOs existing at local, state and national 4.11. Target orientated and time-bound
level has laid to the common problems such Programmes
as overlapping, duplication, non-
coordination etc, The absence of such a It has been observed that the donor or
118 K. L. Latha / SJM 6 (1) (2011) 109 - 121
government who sanctions grants will put voluntarism. NSS and NCC should
target and time-bound programmes in front encourage students to participate in
of NGO. Those NGOs will take the period voluntarism from childhood days onwards.
but the qualities of service there are offering. 4. The government of India has to
This leads to deteriorating in quality of introduce the success stories of great leaders
service and are below expected standards. and their style of leadership qualities,
voluntarism, dedication and commitment
4.12. Area of Interest towards social work in the curriculum of
social work departments and in the school
Sometimes, NGO will prefer the donor syllabus to build leadership qualities in the
area of interest in welfare activities going coming generation. The new ideas,
beyond his own interest or working in more initiatives and innovation in the minds of
than one programme. This also leads to youth have to help them to become great
deterioration in quality of service in leaders. I
particular programme. 5. There must be coordinating
organizations like Association of Voluntary
Association for Rural Development
5. REMEDIES (AVARD), Coordination Council of
Voluntary Association (CCVA) etc., to solve
The following are the suggested remedies the problems of NGOs. These associations
to the problems of the NGOs in India. are to facilitate the exchange of information
1. The government of India has to between the government and the NGOs.
liberalize the rules and regulations of grants- 6. In India, 65% of populations belong
in-aid and to sanction more grants to NGOs. to rural areas. NGOs, therefore, need to
At the same time, the government should operate in rural areas on a bigger scale to
appoint commissions of enquiry or enlist the cooperation of village people in
committees to cross check the misuse of making their lives better. At the same time,
funds by NGOs. The member of committee these NGOs have to encourage the educated
has to supervise and monitor the activities of young graduates of rural areas to participate
NGOs periodically. Political and personnel in voluntarism. The government has also
vendetta may be responsible for such give some special provisions for NGOs who
investigation are working in rural areas in getting
2. Young graduates from universities, eligibility conditions for grants.
colleges and schools has to conduct the 7. NGOs being a welfare organization
public seminars, meetings, symposiums etc., have to maintain high standard of quality in
and use the local media to advertise the service. The government has to recognize
importance of volunteerism, success stories those NGOs, by giving awards or rewards
of NGOs and encourage people to participate with additional grants. This would motivate
in voluntarism. the other NGOs to work efficiently.
3. At the same time, universities, 8. Monopolization of leadership should
colleges and schools has to collaborate with be avoided. NGOs should recruit young and
NGOs and conduct a campus interviews for efficient people as leaders and retire the
the young graduates who are interested in persons who are nominated members for
K. L. Latha / SJM 6 (1) (2011) 109 - 121 119
very long tenures in any group or agency. target orientated or time bound programme.
9. The government should revise the This leads to maintain the quality in service.
pay-scales and allowances to the personnel
of NGOs. At the same time some special
funds to be allotted for the NGOs to train the 6. CONCLUSION
personnel at the grass root level.
10. The NGOs should use of latest NGOs are the ones who really intend to
technologies like internet, websites etc., for care the uncared sections and the people at
raising of their funds, to have mutual the bottom of the social stratum. Ours is an
associations, to advertise their products and developing country which requires these
for the selection of efficient personals. type of committed, devoted and dedicated
11. The government or donor while organizations for the development of the
sanctioning the grants for particular country. So, the government, the leaders, the
programme has to considered the interest of donors, the politicians and the people should
that particular NGO. According to NGOs support these organizations and help them to
interest of programme, the funds to be solve their problems at the grass-root level.
sanctioned. Than only their services are undoubtedly
12. The government or donor should commendable in the uplift of the rural poor.
concern that particular NGO while giving
НЕВЛАДИНЕ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЈЕ: ПРОБЛЕМИ И
ОКОЛНОСТИ У ИНДИЈИ