Govt urged to investigate corruption in NGO sector

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A coalition of local NGOs urged the government and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to conduct investigations into 'corrupt practices' in the NGO sector for ensuring accountability of the aid-depended non-governmental organisations operating in the country, reports UNB.
The plea came from a discussion meeting titled 'Corruption of NGOs and Donor Agencies' held in the city Tuesday. Coalition of Local NGOs, Bangladesh (CLNB) -- a platform of non-governmental organisations who did not run with foreign aid-organised the discussion. CLNB chairman Harunur Rashid presided.
Speaking as the chief guest, National Front chairman and Ganatantrik Karmi Shibir president comrade Nurul Haque Mehedi said NGOs had received Tk 660 billion (66,000 crore) in foreign funds in the name of fighting poverty since 2004, but the poor sections of people got little of it.
He called upon the government to take "stern action against the NGOs responsible for violating government terms and conditions and existing laws to ensure their accountability".
Sangjukta Sramik Federation leader Harunur Rashid Bhuiyan said government should bring NGOs under a strict system as they were practising 'business' in the name of development.
The speakers also warned the people about the donor agencies as they alleged the donors were involved in meting out '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 left-wing activists in politics and NGO activity.