Institutional obstacles, graft preventing NGOs from running smoothly: Debapriya

Institutional obstacles and corruption are preventing non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from running smoothly, chief of the interim government's White Paper Preparation Committee Debapriya Bhattacharya said today (7 October).

Speaking to reporters after a meeting at the National Economic Council building in the capital's Agargaon, he said, "These obstacles and corruption have been committed, sometimes willingly, sometimes with the help of the government. NGO officials have blamed the agency responsible for overseeing them for allowing this to happen."

Debapriya said the NGO representatives expressed frustration with the role of Bangladesh's embassies abroad, as well as major concern about steps to make government management more efficient and free of corruption.

NGOs are facing corruption during renewal, approval and registration of their organisations and projects from relevant government agencies, he said in response to a question.

The works of NGOs and their contribution to Bangladesh's development do not get attention as they do not get due recognition from the authorities concerned, Debapriya said. 

As a result, NGOs do not get the expected help and support from the government. This is why recognition has become important for NGOs, Debapriya added.

He also stressed the need to involve NGOs in addressing the plights of the people, including their suffering due to inflation, marginalisation and increasing discrimination.

The meeting was held between the committee and 78 representatives of different NGOs from Dhaka and across the country.