NGOs and social workers helping others in Corona are also troubled. They are facing those who make the disaster an opportunity. At the same time, the administration is also looking at NGOs with suspicion. Not only this, the strictness in the rules related to foreign aid has also increased their troubles.
Following the changes in the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), there are very few NGOs left, who can take donations directly from abroad. This step has been taken at a time when the government itself is forced to seek help from other countries.
According to the Development Foundation, 22,400 NGOs have active FCRA licenses in the country. Out of this, only 16% i.e. 3600 NGOs are covered under the new rules and after 1 April can get direct help from abroad.
PM Narendra Modi held a meeting on 30 April with the high-powered groups of the Center. In which Modi said to these groups created to deal with Corona, 'How can social workers be helped to reduce the pressure on health facilities, find ways and put them in the works, Those who do not need any special qualification.
Oxfam India CEO Amitabh Behar said, "These words will only work when seen in decisions." The government has made the functioning of NGOs in the country more difficult. Following the new rules, NGOs are facing difficulties while working. At present, many institutions are in a very difficult situation. They are not able to open an FGRA account with State Bank of India, so now they are not getting the money that they would have previously received from Kovid for help. '
Saba, a Delhi-based social activist, told, "While people are shamelessly selling drugs and providing ambulances at very expensive prices." Police seized 25 cylinders from our team volunteers in Delhi. While we raised some money with the help of our friends and were giving oxygen to the people for free.
NGOs are facing similar problems in other states as well. For example, on May 6, Governor Manoj Sinha in Jammu and Kashmir banned any private society or NGO from supplying oxygen with immediate effect. NGOs were affected by this.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath held a meeting with senior officials on 25 April and directed him to take stern action under the Gangster Act and the National Security Act (NSA) against 'misleading' social media posts that spread 'fear'.
However, on April 30, the administration of the states was warned against this by the Supreme Court. The court also said that if the administration still takes action against citizens seeking medical help, then contempt action will be taken against it. Even after this order, many social workers like Saba have stopped using the online platform.
Moradabad native Saba says, 'It is not safe for me to work on social media. In my state, not only the workers but those who need help are also being targeted.
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