← All questionsGS4 · 2016 · Ethics Case Study ·Control of NGOs without Harassment
QUESTION 14
GS4
25 marks

Saraswati was a successful IT professional in USA. Moved by the patriotic sense of doing something for the country she returned to India. Together with some other like-minded friends, she formed an NGO to build a school for a poor rural community. The objective of the school was to provide the best quality modern education at a nominal cost. She soon discovered that she has to seek permission from a number of Governments agencies. The rules and procedures were quite confusing and cumbersome. What frustrated her most was the delays, callous attitude of officials and constant demand of bribes. Her experience and the experience of many others like her has deterred people from taking up social service projects. A measure of Government control over voluntary social work is necessary. But it should not be exercised in a coercive or corrupt manner. What measures can you suggest to ensure that due control is exercised but well meaning, honest NGO efforts are not thwarted?

WRITE IN
18 min
300 words

What the examiner wants

Suggest measures to regulate NGOs without obstructing honest efforts.

Case studyName the stakeholders and the issues, weigh the options, and say what you would do and why.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Stakeholders: NGO, community, officials, government≈60 words
  2. 2Issues: red tape, corruption, need for accountability≈60 words
  3. 3Measures: single-window, time-bound approvals, online NGO registration, transparency in rules, public service guarantee, grievance redress, action on corrupt officials≈60 words
  4. 4Balance: light-touch regulation with accountability≈60 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

ProblemMeasuresBalanceConclusion

Where marks usually go

  • Arguing for no regulation at all
  • No specific measures

Draw this

  • Flowchart: online application → time-bound single-window approval → deemed approval on delay → appeal

Value addition

  • LawMadhya Pradesh Public Services Guarantee Act 2010 was the first to set time limits for services.MP, 2010
  • PortalNGO-Darpan (NITI Aayog) provides online registration of NGOs.NITI Aayog
  • Report2nd ARC 12th Report 'Citizen Centric Administration' (2009) recommended Sevottam-compliant citizen charters and grievance redress.2nd ARC, 2009

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