Special Consultative Status with UN Accorded to Six Indian NGOs

Six Indian NGOs or non-governmental organisations working towards upliftment of poor, Dalits as well as women were approved by the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations for consultative status with the UN. The committee is a part of Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. The consultative status was given during the annual ongoing session of the world body panel in the week dated 21 January 2013 to 27 January 2013.

NGOs that enjoy special consultative status

The NGOs which enjoy general and special status are eligible for attending the meetings of the Council as well as issuing statements.  The most prominent of these NGOs is Action of Human Movement (AHM) that works towards improving the living conditions of the poor in rural Tamil Nadu. Other important NGO is Centre for Community Economics & Development Consultants Society that works towards empowering the partner communities, small and marginal farmers, Dalits, landless people, castes and tribes and the deprived children and women.

Other NGOs which were accorded with this status include Chaithanya Samskarika Vedi Chennayangaloor P.O. that helps in promotion of development through financial as well as other aid to poor. Ekta Welfare Society which is a national organisation for socio-economic development, world unity and peace was also accorded with this status.

Social & Healthy Action for Rural Empowerment is the national organisation working towards betterment of disadvantaged and underprivileged sections of remote hilly areas of India was given the status with UN as well. Other NGO includes India and International Services Association, whose main concern is the development of vulnerable communities as well as the sustainable health.

About the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, has as of now, accorded this special status to ove3500 NGOs from the world. This committee includes 19 members, all of which are chosen on the grounds of equitable geographical representation. The committee is chaired by Bulgaria and at present, its members for the time period of 2011-2014 include Venezuela, US, Turkey, Sudan, Russia, Senegal, Morocco, Mozambique, Belgium, Burundi, India, Israel, China, Cuba, Pakistan, Peru, Kyrgyzstan and Nicaragua.

The committee has two-week session which began on 21 January 2013 and will conclude on 8 February 2013. In 2013, the committee received application for the special status from 600 NGOs which is a record in itself. In 2012, it received applications from 300 NGOs.

NGOs waiting actions by UN committee

Certain Indian NGOs were, in the meanwhile, awaiting actions from the UN Committee and these include:
•Human Touch India
•EKTA
•Green Planet
•Human Touch India
•Prahar
•Prime Educational and Social Trust
•Rural Peoples Sangham
•Catholic Health Association of India
•Young Naturalist Network, India Media Centre
•World Shelter Organisation
•Asian-Eurasian Human Rights Forum
•Palpung Munishasan Dharmachakra Sangh
•Sairam Population Research Trust
•Shikhar Chetna Sangathan
•Skyian Welfare Organization
•Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust