| Establishment :
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The NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB) was established in 1990 through an administrative order of the Government. Its prime objective is to provide one-stop service to the NGOs operating with foreign assistance and registered under the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Ordinance, 1978. In addition, it facilitates the activities of the NGOs in the country, and ensures their accountability to the state and thereby to the people of the country. Initially, it was located in the President Secretariat's Public Division and, later on, in the Cabinet Division. In 1991, with the re-introduction parliamentary form of government, the NGOAB was placed under the Prime Minister's Office as a regulatory body of the NGOs with the status of a government department.
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Legal Framework :
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Following are the basic laws, rules and circular governing the activities of the NGOs and also the functioning of the NGO Affairs Bureau :
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(a) The Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Ordinance, 1978.
(b) The Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Rules, 1978.
Main features :
- Any person or organisation receiving foreign donations for implementation of voluntary activities shall have to be registered with the Government.
- Receiving foreign donations without permission of the Government by any person or organisation is prohibited.
- NGOs are supposed to implement "Voluntary Activity".
- Under section 2 (d) of the Ordinance, "Voluntary Activity" is defined as "an activity undertaken or carried on partially or entirely with external assistance by any person or organisation of his or its own free will to render agricultural, relief, missionary, educational, cultural, vocational, social welfare and developmental services, and shall include any such activity as the Government may, from time to time, specify to be a voluntary activity."
- The foreign donations have to be received by any person or organisation through only one Bank Account.
- Accounts have to be maintained in the Cash Book and Ledger Book on double entry basis.
- The power for inspection and audit of the accounts of any person or organisation receiving or operating foreign donations is vested with the Government.
(c) The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Ordinance, 1982.
Main features :
- Prohibits receipt of any foreign contribution by any person or organisation without permission of the Government.
- Foreign contribution means any donation, grant or assistance, whether in cash or in kind, including a ticket for journey abroad, made by any government, organisation or citizen of a foreign state, for any charitable purposes.
(d) Prime Minister's Office Circular # 33.43.27.00.00.01.2000-107, dated : 29.05.2001
- Contains procedural details of regulation of NGO activities in Bangladesh formulated in the light of the above-mentioned 1978 Ordinance and Rules made thereunder and also the 1982 Ordinance.
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Administrative Structure :
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The NGOAB is headed by a Director General holding the status of an Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary to the Government. He is empowered with full authority and powers to administer laws regulating the foreign NGOs and the foreign assisted local NGOs in Bangladesh. Three Directors with the status of Deputy Secretary to the Government and other subordinate officers and staff assist the Director General in discharging his responsibilities. The total manpower strength of the NGOAB is 67.
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Functions :
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The functions of the NGO Affairs Bureau as mentioned in the Prime Minister's Office circular dated 29-05-2001, mentioned above, are as follows :
a. Processing of NGO registration and project proposals including renewal of registration after every 05 (five) years.
b. Approval of NGO projects, clearance of funds, permission for appointment of foreign expatriate consultants and fixation of their tenure.
c. Examination and evaluation of reports/returns submitted by the NGOs.
d. Coordination, monitoring, evaluation and inspection of NGO activities.
e. Collection of fees/service charges levied by the government..
f. Inspection of field level NGO activities and examining their accounts.
g. Liaison with the donors and the NGOs.
h. Scrutiny of reports on NGO activities and take appropriate measures.
i. Enlistment of Chartered Accounting Firms for auditing of accounts of the NGOs.
j. Approval of proposals for one-time grants (foreign contribution).
k. Other matters relating to NGO Affairs.
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