Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have a very important role to play in any democracy, more so in developing economies. NGOs are supposedly the custodians of propriety in public life and watchdogs of public interest at large.

The important qualification for any NGO and the people behind it is therefore the highest degree of integrity and character. The day these basic ingredients are compromised, that NGO forfeits its moral right to function.

Unfortunately in recent years, overall degeneration in value system across sections of society has been frighteningly fast and NGOs are no exception. Many NGOs today are playing in the hands of one vested interest or the other. Initially, vested interests used the NGOs by feeding them with information against rival interests and achieved their motives.

However now many NGOs have acquired financial muscle and have now started extorting moneys. An unfortunate methodology of some NGOs is to watch developments until a project promoter has invested time and money. After the promoter gets necessary government clearances/permits and starts the project with a large investment, the NGO starts objecting. At the same time, it quietly meets the promoter and negotiates a deal to extort money.

If the NGO fails to extort desired amounts, it goes to courts of law including Green tribunals. As a matter of fact and in the interest of equity, if promoters have obtained necessary clearances before going ahead with their project, they should not be disturbed.

If the matter comes before adjudicating authorities, they should penalise government agencies that gave clearances for wrongdoing rather than promoters as long as they have adhered to terms of clearances. If the promoters violate any conditions, they should not be spared.

Promoters often face unnecessary litigation after obtaining all clearances and suffer time and cost overruns that make a project unviable. If at the end of the litigation it is found that the promoter has not committed any wrong, the complaining NGO and governments should be directed to make good the loss.

Without such directions, developmental work will suffer on the one hand and on the other entrepreneurs will keep away from projects of national importance.

While in some cases the concerns raised by NGOs are valid, a detailed scrutiny will show that in many cases, the NGOs produce no substantial evidence nor possess expertise in the field. An analysis of the past 25 years is necessary to determine if NGOs have caused more harm than good to people, the economy and the environment.

Another dangerous facet of these NGOs is that many serve the cause of international agencies or multinational corporations by spreading gross lies through expensive media campaigns to influence institutions granting sanctions and those adjudicating issues.

Many major projects, including greenfield projects have been victims of unchecked blackmail by so-called NGOs. India has lost big opportunities in the international market amounting to billions of dollars to rival international players. Lop sided activism has harmed society irreparably.

There are instances of public sector companies engaged in mining activity that had planted millions of trees in the vicinity and provided a green cover being ordered to stop work at the behest of so-called green activists who were proved to be batting for international players.

While highlighting this unfortunate state of affairs in the NGO sector, I do not wish to undermine the importance of NGOs in society. I only want to draw the attention of governments to device a mechanism through which genuine NGOs flourish but those engaging in malpractices are checked.

Similarly, adjudicating authorities should exercise caution before entertaining petitions from any and every NGO.

There is very little accountability of NGOs today.

The need of the hour is to make them accountable. Transparency with regard to their activities and funding must be made public; and NGOs should be asked to put their balance sheets and projects in public domain. NGOs found to be making grossly incorrect allegations twice or thrice should be black listed for at least three years to ensure that the status of an NGO is not misused.

A judicious balance is required to be struck between green activism and development in the interests of the public at large.

Wrongdoings of business and industry are responsible for growth of NGOs, good and unscrupulous; similarly, wrongdoings on the part of NGOs will give an opportunity to trade and industry to play victim.

Under the circumstances, the role of governments and the judiciary becomes more important.

The writer is a distinguished scientist and can be reached at jpglobalconsultinggroup@gmail.com