Role of NGOs In Economic and Social Development of Assam with Special Reference to Barpeta District

Voluntary activities have been an integral part and parcel of India from its historical legacy and NGOs are nothing but organizations working voluntarily for the common goals. Post-independence, NGOs existed but their roles and activities were very limited and more of voluntary nature. After India’s independence from British rule, NGOs emerged in limited extent till 1980. Thereafter, most of the NGOs were founded and started emerging as important players in socio economic development of rural economy. During this period several new professional young social workers from different areas started joining NGOs. NGOs are relatively small, innovative, flexible and participatory in the nature of activities undertaken and successfully reaching to the grassroots level of the economy for socio economic development. The realization of the NGOs’ role in rural development gained importance in the Seventh Five Year Plan and then inclusion of NGOs becomes a part of every successive Five-Year Plan in India. Today NGOs are some of the most successful players in shaping and enhancing the socio-economic growth and development. The role of NGOs in poverty alleviation, employment generation, rural healthcare, vocational training and skills development, women and child development are remarkable and gained momentum. In India, there are no accurate statistics on number of NGOs present. However, in India there are approximately 3 million NGOs registered with the Government of India in 2023. We have more than 2770 NGOs actively working in Assam and these numbers are registered with NGO DARPAN. Barpeta district has more than 154 registered NGOs currently working for economic growth and development in the district. There may be more numbers of NGOs which are not registered with any government authority and working for the common goals.