Transparency among NGOs on cards for plan panel

NEW DELHI - In a bid to enhance the role of voluntary organisations in the social sector, the 12th five year plan (2012-17) would take into account transparency among non-profit organisations, Planning Commission member Syeda Hameed said Friday.

“The Planning Commission would decide the approach and requirements towards making voluntary organisations more accountable. The need for transparency through monitoring of these organisations is required in the society, Syeda Hameed told IANS.

Government and civil societies are interdependent on each other, she said

Government representatives, managers from corporate sector and civil society activists from all across the country had gathered at a conference on mainstreaming good governance in non-profit organisations.

“The constructive partnership between the public sector and civil societies needs to be strengthened. Supporters of civil society movements within the government have favoured giving a more active role to the voluntary sector, Hameed said at the conference.

The conference, supported by Oxfam India and Public Affairs Centre, was the first initiative at the national level.

Credibility Alliance, a network of NGOs, also emphasised on the need for accountability and transparency in the voluntary sector through accreditation of the NGOs.

Jagadananda, state information commissioner of Orissa; Poonam Natarajan, chairperson of the national trust; Thomas Chandy, chief executive officer (CEO) of ’save the children’; and Rita Soni, CEO of the NASSCOM foundation were some of the panelists, among others.