Noida: Rajnath Singh lauds NGOs for development work in areas govt can’t reach

Union home minister says goal of inclusive development cannot be completed only with government machinery. Stresses on the need for civil society and NGOs to come together, along with the government machinery, to ensure country prospers

Stressing on the role of the civil society and non-government organisations (NGOs) in achieving social equality, Union home minister Rajnath Singh said that the government machinery is not sufficient to achieve the economic and social goals.

Union home minister Rajnath Singh at the HCL Grant 2018 where three NGOs were awarded ₹15 crore. (Sunil Ghosh /HT Photo)

Singh was in Noida to attend the HCL Grant 2018 where three NGOs were awarded a total sum of ₹15 crore as financial assistance by the HCL Technologies.

Singh said that the role of NGOs is paramount in areas where government machinery cannot reach.

“There are Naxal-hit areas in India where government personnel are not allowed to enter. I have myself witnessed that NGOs work even in such areas. Our goal of inclusive development cannot be completed only with government machinery. We need public support and the help of civil society and NGOs,” Singh said.

He said that even after 70 years of India’s Independence, there are some areas that lag behind in development, be it economical, social or academic.

“We have selected 115 districts across India which have not progressed much since independence on the parameters of education, health and nutrition, environment, water resources, financial inclusion, skill development and infrastructure. It is important that civil society and NGOs come together, along with the government machinery, for these 115 districts to prosper,” Singh said.

Gautam Budh Nagar member of Parliament Mahesh Sharma was also present on this occasion.

”Until and unless we achieve freedom in the society to the point that each and every member can experience the same freedom, our freedom is of no use,” Sharma said.