(June 11, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) The reconstituted National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), in its most recent meeting held last Saturday, came up with the unusual suggestion of actively involving NGOs in security-related matters.
As one member pointed out that issues of food security, energy security and health security were of equal if not greater importance than the so-called "hardcore" security issues.
"If our food security goes into the hands of MNCs, India can no longer be considered a free society The security of the rural sector is synonymous with the security and freedom of India," he informed the 23-member apex security body set up by the Prime Minister to provide long-term solutions to India’s current problems.
The same criterion applied to issues of energy and fuel security as also to the present health crisis whereby rising prices of healthcare and medicines have forced millions to go into debt.
"These issues are of greater significance than the increasing levels of Naxal and Maoist violence affecting a claque of states. If basic issues are resolved, people will not take up arms. And security in such diverse fields can only be ensured with the active cooperation of the NGO community," he pointed out.
It was also pointed out that at the time of a national calamity, like the tsunami, when all communications failed, HAM radio operators were in the forefront in providing crucial rescue and relief leads.
The government needed to put in place a mechanism whereby an interface could be created between the government security machinery and the NGOs, the member said.
Other members, however, felt that at present there was no comprehensive definition of an NGO. Any organisation registered as a trust or a society could be included under the nomenclature of an NGO.
It was, therefore, important to first categorise exactly who fitted into this bracket, especially since there were any number of foreign-funded NGOs which were known to be acting as fronts for dubious organisations.
"Several NGOs enjoy a questionable reputation, while there are others who only publicity seekers," it was pointed out by other members.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
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