ILEP’S MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS ARE WORKING
TOGETHER FOR A WORLD FREE FROM LEPROSY

Background

ILEP India is a group of 9 affiliate members who share a common vision of leprosy elimination. It extends technical support to the Government of India and State Governments as well. Currently, ILEP India supports 13 NLEP consultants who provide technical support to the State Societies. Besides, providing technical support, ILEP India members are also driven by their respective mandates to provide direct medical and social rehabilitation services to people affected by leprosy.

ILEP India believes in plugging the gaps in collaboration with local Government & other non-government organizations. There is a common understanding that where Government services are not available NGO’s can provide services so that no one is left behind. Being a high endemic country with 36 States/UT’s, ILEP India alone cannot comprehensively plug the gaps thereby providing the scope to further expand it’s membership by inducting new members. To differentiate them from the 9 affiliate members; a separate category called associate members may be formed.

In this regard, a meeting was held in 2016, in Bern, with ILEP Coordinators from different countries in attendance. It was mutually agreed during the same meeting that ILEP Country mechanisms will put a call for inducting new members locally. It was mutually decided not to levy a membership fee and if the call results in higher interest from NGO’s then a fee could be considered. However, there was an expectation that the new members will also contribute towards sharing the cost towards supporting the Central Leprosy Division (CLD) and the States, which is currently practiced.

Following the Bern meeting, the highlights from the ILEP meeting held in Bern was shared with the India members. However, in the recent meeting held in 2019-20, ILEP India members were keen to include a few criteria to induct new member. This included:

1. Short-listing criteria of new members

It was mutually agreed that a selection criteria be developed for entities who’re interested in becoming a part of ILEP India. For instance, the entity should be knowledgeable about leprosy & NLEP, is currently providing medical or/and social rehabilitation services for people affected by leprosy, if not, then other health services and is equally interested to expand to provide leprosy services, collaborates with the Government of India, and the like. ILEP India members will form a committee to screen the applications and based on their review and possible personal interaction the committee will make their recommendations to the ILEP India members who can depute colleagues/ consultant for an assessment visit.

2. Assessment criteria

The members can form & depute an internal committee to assess the interested parties by visiting the proposed location. A check-list has to be developed for this purpose. The outcome from the assessment visit will be shared with the India members for them to take a final decision.

1. NGO should have been registered under the Societies Registration act, 1860 or a State amendment thereof or the India Trust Act 1982 or the Religious and Charitable Institution Registration Act,1920.
2. NGO should have completed 5 years from the date of registration on the date of filling application.
3. NGOs should have worked in the field of Leprosy/ TB programmes/neglected tropical diseases/ general healthcare/general disability/any other health care field.
4. NGO should have a bank account for at least three years preceding the date of file of application.
5. “Health Care” should be one of the objectives in the Memorandum of Association of the NGO.
6. The NGO should be located and working in the same district for at least 3 years.
7. The NGO should not have been black list by any Central/State Government Ministries/Department/Agencies or any National/International Funding Organization.
8. NGO should not have defaulted either in works or in financial progress in any of their work with State District Administration.
9. NGO should comply with the requirement of Income-Tax department/GSTIN or should have at least applied for the same.
10. Members of the NGO Selection Committee or their family member should not be the office bearers of the NGO applying for the membership.
11. The NGO’s Board members should not have any history of criminal offence against them.
12. The NGOs should be recommended by the District Administration based on their track record, experience, capacity and other aforesaid criteria.

Documents to be submitted along with the application form:

1. Copies should be attested by the president & Secretary of the Organization.
2. Copy of the relevant registration certificate.
3. Bye- Law or MoA OF THE NGO.
4. Latest composition of the Managing Committee/Executive Body.
5. Annual Report of the Organization for last 3 years.
6. Documents relating to PAN number and exemption order under 12-A & 80G if any.
7. Bank pass book reflecting the transaction for the last three years.
8. Certificate from the Bank Manager stating that the account is operative for last three years.
9. Financial Statement/Balance Sheet for Last 3 Year with Audit Report and ITR.
10. Local Bank (Non- FCRA) account details.
11. The application should be submitted accompanied by a resolution of the organization duly signed by the sitting member of the Executive Body l Managing Committee of the NGO.
12. Letter on award of Assignments or Project to the NGO.