Call to punish NGOs for shady business

Call to punish NGOs for shady business

Habibullah Mizan
Staff Reporter
The New Nation
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Referring to the various irregularities and fund misappropriation of NGO’s, leaders of a local coalition demanded of the caretaker government and the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate “corrupt practices” in the NGO sector
The coalition of local NGOs urged the government to give exemplary punishment to the responsible for ensuring accountability of the aid-fed non-governmental organisations operating in the country.
They were speaking at a discussion meeting organised by Coalition of Local NGOs, Bangladesh (CLNB) at Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday.
While speaking as chief guest Comrade Nurul Haque Mehedi, chairman, National Front alleged that the NGO’s brought Tk 66,000 crore from abroad since 2004.They are taking 30 to 40 per cent interest from the loan seekers though they themselves received the fund from the donors on 4 to 5 per cent interest only.
He called upon the government to take “stern action against the NGOs responsible for violating government terms and conditions and laws to ensure their accountability.
Harunur Rashid chairman of CLNB in his presidential speech blamed the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) for floods in Jamalpur and Sirajganj, as it built an embankment on the Jamuna and changed the course of the mighty river.
He accused water expert Ainun Nishat of disclosing secret information of the state to the Asian Energy, as a consultant of the multi-national company, and his involvement in the various Government committees formed to conduct feasibility study regarding the controversial company.
He also blamed Grameen Bank, BRAC and others influential NGOs which received 90 per cent of the total foreign funds.
Sangjukta Sramik Federation leader Harunur Rashid Bhuiyan said the Government should bring NGOs under a strict system, as they are making money in the name of development.
Speakers also warned the people about the donor agencies, as they alleged the donors are involved in ‘repression’ in the name of giving aid.
Worker and peasant leaders AMM Fayej Hossain, Iqbal Khan, Subal
Sarker, Shajahan Kabir Johir and Bazlur Rahman Bablu, among others, also spoke at the discussion meeting, mainly attended by leftwing activists in politics and NGO activity.