Non-government organisations (NGOs) in Chhattisgarh are fuming after police in Janjgir-Champa district sent a letter to NGOs,asking them to furnish exhaustive details about them,their activities and source of funding. Janjgir-Champa police has sent a letter,along with a three-page performa,to NGOs and Voluntary organisations (VOs) functioning in the district seeking all their details,stating that it was part of an effort to gather information about "suspicious" non-government organizations. Apart from the details about the organsiations' directors,the Performa sought details such as its source of funding,including from foreign and domestic agencies,outlay during the tenth and eleventh five year plan,area of operation and works being carried out. NGO circles told The Indian Express that they were not bound to furnish details about its finances and functioning to the police as these registered organizations audited their accounts and filed annual returns,as required under the law. It's up to the bodies such as Registrar Firms and Societies and other such institutions,with which NGOs and VOs are registered,to verify their accounts. "Police seem to be prejudiced against the NGOs and those working in the voluntary and development sector as the subject of the police letter indicates that it was to gather information about "suspicious" VOs and NGOs",they said adding that many organisations have started submitting details,fearing police harassment. Official sources,however,sought to downplay,citing a different angle. They said the centre had sent a letter to the state government seeking details of NGOs and voluntary organizations,which have done exemplary work in various fields in the state. The centre has plans to organize a national level workshop as a part of its efforts to further streamline its new policy for the voluntary sector. The letter from the centre,including the three-page Performa,was routinely forwarded to the districts and it's was on the basis of it that the information was being gathered by the district administrations concerned,they claimed.
