News

Volume 2 Issue 14 - July 15, 2004

NGOs seen as only answer to social reform

The Economic Survey says social allocations have not been well spent and delivery mechanisms need evolution. The only concrete suggestion the survey offers for improving this condition is greater participation of NGOs.

The survey is apolitical in nature but this statement is still a jibe at the government as the National Advisory Council is headed by Sonia Gandhi and therefore, is funded by the government. The NAC boasts of half a dozen big names from the NGO circuit!

This creates an uncomfortable scenario in carrying out social sector reforms. The Congress-favoured NGOs would have significant say in deciding how thousands of crores of social sector allocation is spent. This would not be welcomed by most of the ruling politicians and bureaucrats, as they like to have a say over public money!