Note from Paresh Tewary, Chief Executive Officer, VANI

One ministry of the Government of India kept toying with FCRA while the other drew around and changed the definition of "Charitable purposes" under the Income Tax Act. Both efforts by the Government stand out as they are in contradiction to its own commitment in The National Policy on Voluntary Sector which ensures a conducive environment to the Voluntary Sector.

Governments, some less than the other, rarely appear to know what its various ministries are doing. Worst they find it ridiculous to uphold their commitments. Worse still with change in combinations running the governments, their agencies put on-hold charges against some while file against others. Read More...

VANI NEWS:

Post Budget meeting definition of "charitable purposes" : 7th April

The current Budget proposes to amend the definition of 'Charitable Purposes' under section 2(15) of the income tax act. This has raised certain issues and concerns amongst Voluntary Organisations. To address this issue VANI organised a meeting at the VANI Secretariat. The meeting was attended by Financial Heads / Representatives of 15 organisations. Consequently, it was decided that FMSF and AccountAid in association with VANI would draft a Memorandum to be submitted to the Finance Minister; Chairman, CBDT and Members, Standing Committee. In addition to this, VANI will continue its advocacy /information dissemination initiatives among member organisations in regarding the issue. Read More

Meeting with Revenue Secretary: 21st April

VANI led a four member group into a meeting with revenue secretary, P.V. Bhide to present a memorandum and request an amendment to the a clause in the Finance Bill. The memorandum says that the proviso goes against the spirit of the national policy on the voluntary sector, which encourages NGOs to stand on their feet and “categorically safeguard their autonomy”. Read More

State Consultation on National Policy on Voluntary Sector, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: 23rd April

VANI, in association with Society for Environment & Rural Awakening (ERA) and Mountain Forum Himalayas (MFH) organized a two day Consultation on National Policy for Voluntary Sector at YMCA Shimla. Participants from 40 Voluntary Organizations from different parts of Himachal Pradesh were present at the event. The consultation was inaugurated by Dr. Ramlal Markande- Former Minister, Himachal Pradesh Government. Read More

Workshop on Promoting Voluntarism for Students of Amity University: 29th April

VANI organised a day long workshop for students of the NGO Management course from Amity University. The students were briefed on VANI various programmes on Good Governance, Advocacy and National and International Networking. They were also explained in depth about the National Policy and VANI's rold in the shaping of this policy. This was followed by an open discussion wherein the students put forth their questions regarding a career in the voluntary sector and also on the working of the sector.

State Consultation on National Policy on Voluntary Sector, Imphal, Manipur: 7th & 8th May

VANI in association with Mass Education, West Bengal organized a two-day state consultation meeting on National Policy on Voluntary Sector. Mass Education took the initiative to involve members of Civil Society in Manipur, including Trade Union Leaders, Political Leaders, Lawyers Association, Cultural organizations, Youth Association, Journalists etc. to discuss the issue on voluntary sector and create awareness on the issue. Read More.

VANI petitions MoUD against MCD Sealing Drive against NGOs: 15th May

On behalf of its members and Delhi-based VOs/ NGOs, VANI requested Mr. Jaipal Reddy, Hon'ble Minister for Urban Development, GPI; Mr. Ajay Makan, Minister of State for Urban Development, GOI; and Mr. Tejendra Khanna, L-G of Delhi, to urgently intervene to amend the Delhi Master Plan 2021 and include a specific provision allowing Voluntary Sector Organizations (VSOs)/NGOs, which are registered in India or abroad to function from non-institutional areas. Read the text of the letter/petition.

State Consultation on National Policy on Voluntary Sector, Dehradun, Uttarakhand: 22nd & 23rd May

VANI organised a two-day consultation to share and debate issues regarding the National Policy on Voluntary Sector with prominent Non-Government Organizations of Uttarakhand. The consultation also involved an interface with the state government, so as to initiate the process of drafting of a similar policy document for the state. The workshop was inaugurated by the chief guest Harbans Kapoor, the Speaker, Uttarakhand Assembly by lighting the lamp. The consultation was attended by representatives of 60 NGOs from the state. Read More...

Meeting on "Social Accountability Standards" with FMSF: 5th June

The meeting on Social Accountability Standards was organised by FMSF in Noida.  The participants present created a group to take forward the work on Social Accountability. This group comprised of: Mr. Jagadananda, Ms. Rozmin Ajani, Credibility Alliance; Mr. Manoj Fogla; Mr. Gagan Sethi, Jan Vikas; Mr. Sanjay Patra; Mr. Mathew Cherian and Mr. Paresh Tewary.

Regional workshop on Good Governance in association with Irish Aid: 27th & 28th June; New Delhi.

VANI works to promote practice of good governance in the voluntary sector and as part of its broad activities. The aim is to spread the issues of good governance' legitimacy, transparency and accountability' and to promote participation of marginalized people in decision-making processes.

It is in this context that VANI organized a Regional workshop to promote issues of Good Governance among its members /non members in the Northern Region. The meeting was attended by participants from 5 northern states, representing various NGOs and Networks. Read More...

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. VANI organises State Consultation on National Policy in Guwahati, Assam on 2^nd & 3^rd July, 2008.
   
   
2. VANI will organise state consultation on National Policy in Volutary Sector in Punjab on 6^th & 7^th August, 2008
   
   
3. VANI will organise a workshop on Networking, Good Governance and Capacity Building in Manila, Philippines in August, 2008.
   
   
4. VANI will organize a workshop on ‘Good Governance in Civil Society Organisations’ on 24^th & 25^th September, 2008 in Shillong.
   
   
5. VANI will hold its National Convention and AGM on the theme of ‘Peace Building, Conflict Resolution and the role of CSOs’ on 26^th & 27^thSeptember, 2008 in Shillong.
   
   
6. VANI to facilitate the development of an accountability toolkit with One World Trust.

Website Pick of the Month:

With the increasing awareness on global warming and climate change, VANI on its part will try and create awareness on this issue through its newsletters.

Vatavaran is a model NGO working on Socio-Environmental Issues. Since its inception it has converted many areas of the Capital into Zero Garbage and Green Areas. Vatavaran identifies socio-environmental problems of the society and tries to solve them with the help of the communities.

Vatavaran’s work ‘Eco Development, Management, conservation and Policy Reform, Individual and Community Participation’ has been included in UNCHS (United Nations Cell for Human Settlements) Global 100 Best Practices list in 2000 & 2006.
http://vatavaran.org/home.asp?butt=1