Poll Analysis | Can Public Trusts be Trusted?
Going by the name, NGOs are organisations that cater to resolve social issues and function in coordination with government bodies. Whether these entities are partially or totally funded by the government, they are morally bound not to misuse funds granted for a public cause.
Delhi-based Dr. Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust, currently under Law Minister Salman Khurshid, was one such organisation that started in 1986 to serve the physically handicapped. This trust, named after the former president of India, was initially a beacon of hope for the physically challenged and has now become a resort for unethical principles.
A recent sting operation by a news channel reporting the alleged misuse of trust funds by Salman Khurshid made news in the country. Not surprisingly, India Against Corruption also pitched in to voice against these misappropriate dealings of the cabinet minister. The allegations invited Comptroller Auditor General of India to intervene and investigate into the allocation of funds. The investigation revealed the misuse of government funds amounting to Rs. 71. 65 lakhs, pressing the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to recover the money with interest. With such large-scale misappropriation, what service can these trusts guarantee?
As a follow-up on this news, ipaidabribe.com conducted a poll seeking readers’ opinions on ‘public trusts turning into forums for financial impropriety by ministers’. Agreeing to the question, 93 % of our readers conveyed their lack of trusts on such organisations while only 7 % of them disagreed with the question.
Recalling a similar instance of misuse of public trusts by ministers, Prerana Educational and Social Trust under the trusteeship of Karnataka Chief Minister B.S Yeddyurrapa should still remain fresh in the our memory. Funds from Jindal Steel works allotted to this trust was redirected to another trust (Vivekananda) that was also managed under the ambit of Mr. Yeddyurrapa. The Rs. 20 crores fund scam under investigation by the CBI is still in the loop.
With such instances of exploiting coffers that are meant for a noble cause, the primary motive of an NGO dies down. Such cases can mar the reputation and hope of public trusts in the country among people.