Commission for monitoring NGO activities demanded

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Speakers at the publication ceremony of a book in the city Saturday called for establishing an NGO Commission to monitor the activities of NGOs, reports BSS.
An independent commission can ensure the accountability and transparency in the activities of the non-government organisations (NGOs), they said.
The book titled "Government-NGO Collaboration for Poverty Alleviation: The Case of Bangladesh" was authored by Director General of the Department of Audit Shyamal Kanti Chowdhury.
Comptroller and Auditor General Ataul Hakim attended the function as the chief guest in Poet Sufia Kamal auditorium of National Museum.
Economists Prof Abu Ahmed and Prof Atiur Rahman were discussants at the function, moderated by media consultant Muhammad Jahangir.
Prof Abu Ahmed mentioned the widespread allegations of lack of transparency in their programmes against NGOs, saying a separate regulatory body was needed to monitor their activities.
Prof Atiur said the next elected government had to give importance on agriculture sector to carry forward the poverty alleviation programmes. Ataul Hakim said the government-NGO partnership was essential to eradicate poverty. He said the proposed NGO commission would help ensure transparency in NGO activities.
The speakers urged the political parties to attach importance to poverty reduction strategy in their election manifestos and called for building strong partnership between public and private sectors on the issue.