Partner in Crime
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: September 26, 2012 -

The growing role of Non-Governmental Organsiations (NGOs) towards bringing about holistic development in any democratic set up could never be underscored.

So, we did find the news report on the fate of some NGOs in Manipur hanging in balance after the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment sidelined discussion on financial sanctions for implementation of various Centrally-sponsored schemes as the Social Welfare Department, Government of Manipur failed to furnish project proposals of the NGOs in time to the Ministry not just shocking but frustrating.

But what has come even more shocking and frustrating is the reaction of some NGOs crying hoarse and baying blood of the reporter who had filed the said news report.

It is said that as many as 14 different NGOs had submitted proposals for various projects under the Prevention of Alcoholism and Substances (Drugs) Abuse Scheme to the state Social Welfare Department for its recommendation.

In addition, some other NGOs also furnished project proposals for Old Aged Homes. Under these Centrally-sponsored schemes, different NGOs in the state have been extending their services to the needy people apart from creating employment opportunities for many educated unemployed youths in the state.

However, the failure of the Department to forward the proposals in time to the Ministry has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future of these NGOs and continuation of their valuable services to the people.

Now the question is, why there should be any delay over submission of the project proposals furnished by the NGOs to the Ministry? What prevented the officials concerned of the state Social Welfare Department from forwarding the project proposals submitted by the NGOs for necessary recommendations to the Ministry in time for consideration?

This is common logic that if the project proposals have been furnished by the NGOs in time for recommendation, then there is no question why the responsible officials should not face the music for dereliction of their duties.

From the news report, it was quite clear that after a serious deliberation, a meeting of the State Grant-in-Aid Committee had given its approval to 14 new project proposals for recommendation to the Ministry.

Then, why is that the Ministry did not receive any project proposals from the side of the state Social Welfare Department in time for discussion for consideration and financial grants?

Considering the trend in most Government offices in Manipur where a file does not move from one table to another without greasing the palm of the dealing clerk or the official concerned, even an average Joe would know why the project proposals submitted by the NGOs have not been processed in time for consideration by the Ministry.

Given this fact, the attempt made by representatives of some NGOs to discredit the news report which was in their own favour, made us to think of them as partner in crime.