NGOs 8212; Inside or Outside?

It is good that community groups are taking active part in municipal affairs. Much of this has happened in Mumbai at the initiative of ci...

It is good that community groups are taking active part in municipal affairs. Much of this has happened in Mumbai at the initiative of citizens8217; groups themselves. In response to public demand 8212; for cleaner streets, or maidans and open spaces or for pavements clear of hawkers and obstructions 8212; various non-governmental organisations NGOs have been formed and taken up these issues energetically and with increasing success.

Now the Urban Development Department would like them to work from inside the system instead of outside it. It is proposed to give NGOs a formal role in municipal corporations and councils. Members of NGOs who meet certain standards and are elected by a majority of corporators will take part in the deliberations of councils and corporations. They will also participate in ward committees. A notification to this effect has been issued.

It sounds like a good move. There is talk of giving NGOs 8220;voting rights8221; but the legal/statutory basis for this has not been spelled out. If NGOs areinvolved on a regular basis with routine civic decision-making, it is bound to be good for the city. For one thing, NGOs generally bring professional skills to their jobs. Secondly, NGOs are likely to be more accountable for their actions than are politicians today. The latter go to the people once in five years with their report-cards. NGOs are bound by law to produce annual reports on their work and expenditure.

This is not to say NGOs are above being corrupt, lazy or ignorant. But the chances are good that the bad eggs will be found out and when found out that they will be removed. With politicians it is not so easy. They band together to share the spoils and to get rid of anyone doing good work. But is it essential for NGOs to be inside municipal corporations? Can they not be more effective watchdogs outside? Once inside they risk being corrupted by the system. The criteria for selecting NGOs should also be tightened up to exclude relatives of politicians. All the pros and cons should be debated beforea final decision.