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What are civil society organizations (CSOs)? Discuss their role as developmental partners of the government and highlight the concerns associated with their functioning.

Approach-

• Introduce the answer by explaining the meaning of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
• In the body of the answer discuss in detail the ways in which CSOs act as the developmental partner of the government, elaborating with suitable examples.
• In the next part of the body discuss the concerns associated with the functioning of the CSOs. Add examples where necessary.
• Conclude the answer highlighting the importance of effective coordination between the government and the CSOs also briefly mentioning the ways for the same.

Civil society organization (CSOs) is an umbrella term used for voluntary, not-for-profit organizations working outside the ambit of government for the general public welfare and social cause. It broadly includes community groups, NGOs, philanthropic organizations etc., which work as the developmental partner of the government in the following ways:

1. CSOs with grassroot connect provide real time data, helping in identifying target population and assessment of schemes. E.g., ASER survey by Pratham.
2. CSOs are often the first responders in emergency situations, providing human resource, logistical support etc., Eg: NGOs like Hindrise and Care India work to serve the needy in events of disasters.
3. CSOs extends aid to the vulnerable sections of the society which often escape the governance radar. Eg: India Vision Foundation works for welfare of prison inmates.
4. CSOs actively partner with the government in furthering the cause of social justice and social reforms. Eg: DNF fights against caste-based discrimination, Ramkrishna welfare foundation works for rehabilitation of drug addicts.
5. CSOs bring innovation and novelty in their way of approaching the problems of the region. Eg: Development Alternatives, a CSO, helps to eliminate poverty and regenerate environmental resource base by creating low emission building materials.
6. CSOs act as the bridge between the government and citizens by ensuring that the benefits of the schemes of government reach the needy. E.g., during the Covid-19 crisis several NGOs worked for delivering medicines and rations to the poor.

Though CSOs have played an exemplary role as the developmental partner of the government there remain some concerns associated with their functioning as:

1. Several CSOs suffer from gross financial mismanagement of funds and fail to comply with the law of the land. Eg: according to CBI only 10% NGOs have filed financial details with the government.
2. It is seen that a few NGOs, motivated politically, act as the barrier in the development initiatives of the government E.g., Narmada Bachao Andolan.
3. Many NGOs have been accused of engaging in corrupt activities and collecting funds through fraudulent means. Eg: In 2015 the FCRA registration of Greenpeace was cancelled.
4. CSOs’ alleged role of engaging in information warfare against the government and the country by manipulating public opinions led the NSA to call them the new frontier of war.
5. The working of some CSOs undermines the larger national interest through their protests which have bearings of inimical foreign interests. Eg: NGOs protesting against Kudankulam nuclear Plant. Effective coordination is required between the CSOs and the government to build an ecosystem of developmental partnerships. While CSOs should align their work in larger national interest, government should practice restraint and extend necessary policy support.