National policy on voluntary sector needed: VANI

New Delhi, Feb 19 (KNN) Voluntary Action Network India (VANI) has recommended the government to implement the national policy on the voluntary sector.

''To effectively revive a working framework that promotes voluntary sector’s functioning, Voluntary Action Network India (VANI) has undertaken a comprehensive study review of the National Policy of Voluntary Sector which got cabinet approval in 2007 but ever since then has not seen implementation,'' VANI said in a statement.

The voluntary sector in India is subjected to multiple different laws and unlike other sectors is not governed by a ministry or department of the government thereby creating problems in the day to day functioning of voluntary organizations.

''But with the renewed interest of the NITI Ayog in searching for a single regime for the voluntary sector, there has been interest in revitalizing the policy given that it provides for a standardized framework which can ease the operational environment of the sector,'' it added.

VANI said that the report is an outcome of years of recommendations from sector leaders, activists, social workers, grassroots organizations which point to the need of implementing the policy with recognition of changes that have taken place over the last decade.

The report provides for concrete suggestions to the government such as easing the regulatory regime, harmonizing the legal framework under a unified law, allowing default mechanisms for NGO-Government-Business collaboration at district, state and national levels and expanding the scope for financing voluntary sector-led development projects, the statement read further.

VANI has submitted the report as a policy recommendation to NITI Ayog on behalf of the sector and draws upon the attention of the government to fast track the process of implementing the national policy of the voluntary sector.