The New Nation - Internet Edition

ACTIVITIES of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Bangladesh expanded over the past three decades. A large number of NGOs have since been set up pledging to work for reduction of poverty and growth of the economy. Some leading NGOs have built high-rise buildings in the capital and other locations symbolising their strong presence. The expansion of activities of NGOs is quite pronounced. Some NGOs have provided fiscal support to the poor and the marginal farmers in rural areas. They have given loans to the target people on terms and conditions fixed by their field executives. The loan money has been used for income generating activities. The recipients of money and technical inputs from the NGOs have since been guided by their field workers for optimising the use of such money. The recovery of loan money from the recipients remains quite important for the NGOs and their workers.

The inflow of resources from developed countries for activities of NGOs has increased over the years. Speakers at a forum on the activities of NGOs have asserted that NGOs have obtained over sixty-six thousand crores of Taka from abroad. They have used the money for construction of buildings for their head offices and field offices. Some NGOs have built godowns for storage of different products. They have used handsome amounts of money for payment of salary to their executives at rates that are high compared to the pay structure of officials of government and private enterprises. Top leaders of some NGOs have also engaged themselves in the expansion of activities in the socio-political field. They have used resources for their personal gains and upgradation of their social status. In the process, they have bypassed their obligation to optimally use the resources procured from abroad for reducing poverty. The process of the utilisation of resources by NGOs often remains beyond review of the official agency, the NGO Affairs Bureau.

In such a context, it is imperative for the government to closely monitor the work of NGOs in the country. If need be, new laws may be promulgated to bring the activities of NGOs under review. The inflow of resources and their use have to be brought under legal and administrative provisions in the country. The sooner such effective measures are taken the better may be prospect of the use of resources obtained by NGOs. The assets and liabilities of the leaders and executives of NGOs may be made public for the sake of transparency. Those misusing the resources should be given exemplary punishment and that for accountability for aid-based activities of NGOs for building a corruption-free society.