Note from Paresh Tewary, Chief Executive Officer, VANI

One ministry of the Government of India kept toying with FCRA while the other drew around and changed the definition of “Charitable purposes” under the Income Tax Act. Both efforts by the Government stand out as they are in contradiction to its own commitment in The National Policy on Voluntary Sector which ensures a conducive environment to the Voluntary Sector.

Governments, some less than the other, rarely appear to know what its various ministries are doing. Worst they find it ridiculous to uphold their commitments. Worse still with change in combinations running the governments, their agencies put on-hold charges against some while file against others.

Such scenarios highlight the importance of the National Policy on Voluntary Sector. The policy is of immense value. Its one of the key reasons that the FCRA was reconsidered and it is still pending.

These scenarios also underline the immense challenges and struggle that the civil society is endlessly working at. A vibrant democracy revolves around participation of its people. The need for a vigilant, active, networked voluntary sector therefore is paramount.

Within the last few months in widely represented workshops across 15 states / Union territories I have experienced the sweat and the urge in people to do. I have also shared their alienation and hopes. I have felt shame, deep shame when at Imphal for instance a woman requested protection so that she could speak. In Srinagar people wanted options. From grass roots there is a wave rising – urban and rural, throbbing for change. Ready to go alone, if need be, in the absence of leadership.

Disseminating the National Policy on Voluntary Sector and initiating platforms in States across the country for development of Policy, is being focused. For else there are two possibilities, either a state not form a policy or it could come with a policy that is not conducive for the Voluntary Sector.

You too wouldn’t miss and see as I have seen, hope in their eyes. National Policy is one way out. Their wanting a State Policy and getting together to work on it is one of the signs of the direction they want to take. Media has largely been supportive and so have been quite a few state governments.

Its key that the voluntary sector nudges and pushes for State specific policies as well as operationalisation of the National policy.