This refers to the report"J&K flood victims caught in govt-NGO politics" (March 8). The bureaucracy is expected to take a humanitarian approach and not project themselves as centres of power. They should instead realise that they, too, are part of society and not a powerful section cut away from them. Foreign funding from reputed foreign social organisations, of which the end use is certain, should not be indefinitely blocked merely because of their being on the list for other suspicious fund transactions. These two aspects should not be unduly linked to prevent the speedy flow of funds received from abroad.
Non governmental organisations also play a social reconstructive role but they also require swift financial support to carry out qualitative social rebuilding activities. Today, banks hesitate to put through transactions to ensure the smooth flow of funds for such causes for fear of being hauled up for regulatory violations. Stringent Know Your Customer norms further create fear among banks and financial institutions. A more lenient approach is necessary in such cases to ensure that fear does not impede swift social assistance. It is observed time and again that public memory is short and one natural disaster disappears into history and forgotten with the onset of a fresh one.
C Gopinath Nair Bengaluru
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