No dearth of people out to make quick money amid lockdown: Activist

Bhopal, April 14 (IANS) With many companies in the private sector and NGOs stepping forward to help the poor amid the nationwide lockdown, there is also no death of people out to make a quick buck at the expense of the needy, a social activist said on Tuesday.

Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown from March 24 midnight, there were many big companies which had corporate social responsibility funds.

Since the financial year 2019-20 was coming to an end, the companies needed to spend the unutilised money and required go-betweens to ensure it was spend on social welfare projects. Thus came in those who could facilitate the process.

Those in the know of things say that there are also many NGOs which get money from the government on their avowed claims that they are experts in their field. They also manage funds from agencies and authorities concerned, but whether that money is spent on intended beneficiaries or not can’t be known in the absence of any social audit in the country.

“People connected with many non-governmental organisations and those in the government are looking for ways to take advantage of the situation. That is why so many people came forward to help the needy in March, but not in April,” said Manish Rajput.

Jan Swasthya Sangathan’s Amulya Nidhi said: “A crisis is an opportunity for some. Opportunists get a chance to make easy money at the expense of others. The government should not allow certain organisations to play a role which is essentially for it to perform.”

–IANS

Hindi/tsb