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SPEAKING ALOUD

[ Arun Maira, Harivansh , Shankar Venkateswaran, Riaz Quadir, Harmala Gupta, Kabir Mustafi. ]

In the March issue of Civil Society we reported the findings of an opinion poll conducted by GFK Mode on perceptions about social sector organisations. The government and judiciary were also rated. Here we print a collection of viewson the poll’s findings. Over to HARIVANSH

 

THE opinion poll conducted for this magazine by GFK Mode is full of interesting perceptions and indicators that politicians and others interested in better governance in the country should take a close look at. The mood in the country is in favour of NGOs. This is because there is a serious crisis in governance. The authority of politicians and the executive has been seriously eroded because of their own weaknesses and fatal flaws. They do not deliver results and the faith in them has hit rock bottom. In such a situation, the judiciary has been the last resort for common people in search of justice in an unequal system. The judiciary has done much, but it is embattled. Such is the load that it has taken upon itself that it is now being called upon to take decisions and deliver results that should have come from the executive.

We can’t expect judges to find solutions to all complex issues facing society. There is much that society itself must think through and resolve. People are turning to NGOs, as the poll shows, because they are witnessing collapse in matters that are closely linked to the quality of life of the common man. It is because of this in my opinion that people want the NGOs to play a role in health, education, rural development, urban uplift.

______________________ NGOs must be prepared to have their actions scrutinised. They should be ready to face social audits. It is necessary that they lay themselves open to accountability of a high order. ______________________

If governments and politicians had been doing their job there would be no need for people to look elsewhere. It should also be remembered that the attraction common people feel for NGOs is not entirely based on the good work that they do. I am of the view that it is a kind of negative vote in which people turn away from the leaders they elect in despair and look for an intermediary. NGOs need to remember that the same disenchantment that people feel for politicians and political parties which are steeped in cronyism and corruption can also be directed at them if they do not imbue themselves with higher values.

 

NGOs must be prepared to have their actions scrutinised. They should be ready to face social audits. It is necessary that they lay themselves open to accountability of a high order. NGOs have a role to play in cleansing politics and improving the standards in public life. They can, for instance, through their interventions improve the quality of individuals who stand for elections. Several citizens’ initiatives are in a small way managing to achieve this. But much more needs to be done and therefore the importance of setting an example. Unfortunately, when we look around us what we find is that NGOs are inclined to take the easy way out. There is a resistance to accountability. Serious questions can and should be raised about where money comes from and what it is used for.

These are genuine concerns and NGOs should realise that it is in everyone’s interests to raise them. India is at the crossroads. The collapse in governance we see around us also presents an opportunity to bring in change. Where should we be headed? We need economic reforms, better leaders and a responsive administration. Only a vibrant civil society movement can deliver this. A huge responsibility therefore rests with groups and individuals who occupy this space. What they do can define the future. And if they fail? Then growing chaos and anarchy will visit us with greater frequency.

(Harivansh is chief editor, Prabhat Khabar)