Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has formally issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to regulate the registration, monitoring, and renewal of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and institutions engaged in the welfare, development, and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. The move, announced through a government resolution by the Department of Disability Welfare, aims to bring greater transparency, accountability, and uniformity to the functioning of civil society organisations in this sector.

Under Sections 49 to 53 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, it is mandatory for all organisations working in disability welfare and rehabilitation to be registered. The newly issued SOP outlines detailed guidelines for institutions seeking registration and specifies the requirements for their continued operation and oversight.

According to the resolution, the Commissioner for Disability Welfare has been designated as the competent authority to oversee the registration process. Organisations must be registered under the Societies Registration Act, the Bombay Public Trusts Act, or Section 8 of the Companies Act. They are required to clearly state objectives focused on the empowerment, training, research, and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. In addition, they must demonstrate adequate staffing, financial capability, accessibility, and adherence to other prescribed norms.

Applications for registration, along with supporting documents, must be submitted to the district-level authority, which will conduct preliminary scrutiny and forward them to the commissioner. A district inspection committee will evaluate the proposals and submit its report within 30 days. Upon approval, the organisation will receive a one-year registration certificate and a unique institution ID.

The SOP also mandates annual reporting, including submission of audited financial statements, and requires organisations to apply for renewal at least 60 days before the expiry of their certificate. Each registered organisation will undergo at least one inspection per year. Registration may be revoked in cases of violation of government or court orders, misuse of funds, failure to provide services to persons with disabilities, financial irregularities, or exploitation.

Through this structured framework, the Maharashtra government aims to ensure that NGOs and institutions working in the disability sector operate efficiently, responsibly, and in alignment with legal and ethical standards, thereby safeguarding the interests of persons with disabilities across the state.