Regulatory framework for NGOs

Thirty-five years of the evolution of Bangladesh in cer-tain respects and that of NGOs are almost interchange-able phrases. They merit far more attention today than anytime before. Adhocism cannot do with the sector anymore. It has been hamstrung and stifled by interminable NGO bashing, credible allegations of politicisation and even political victimisation. The NGO community has been divided, even though the mainstream remains steadfast in its noble commitments.

In this context, the entire gamut of NGO activities bet-ter be brought under an autonomous regulatory body comprising government, NGO and civil society repre-sentatives. The virtue of an independent regulatory framework as distinguished from an appendage to an administrative authority like the NGO Bureau lies in keeping the sector immune from the buffeting of political changing of guards. Accountability is the key word. Prof Younus has even voiced demand for a micro-finance regulatory body.

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Towards having a broad-based regulatory framework, the government will be well advised to set up an inde-pendent expert body with representatives from all rele-vant sectors to look into the whole question of making the NGO operations transparent, strictly according to mandate and, above all, ensuring financial accountability across the board. Financial disclosures must be mandatory for all NGOs

While all of this is happening, namely the expert com-mittee getting ahead with their work, all NGOs led by the leading ones should make voluntary public disclosure of their funding, income, assets and liabilities through newspapers. This will help allay misgivings about mismanagement, wastage and duplication in financial spending. From that vantage point, the rest of the agenda can move ahead.