NGO-developer nexus: PM must intervene

In the course of time some NGOs (like SOS, Grameen, UCEP, National Heart Foundation, BIRDEM, etc) made proper use of the land by developing the plots as service outlets for targeted beneficiaries. However, many others, mostly local, just failed to do so.

Unfortunately, many of the 'second category' NGOs eventually became conduits to serving the personal agenda of the NGO bosses like the president/chairman and/or general secretary/managing trustee/executive director, etc.

Resorting to malpractice's/corruption is very common in all such NGOs. The leaders of these non-functional (or with inefficient services) NGOs have now gotten involved in another fraudulent practice to make money (in millions).

In the name of furthering/enhancing source(s) of income, these NGO bosses are now entering into commercial contracts with chosen 'Developers' to construct "multi-storied market complex" on the land that originally belonged to the state. Moreover, the government paid the value of the land allotted to them (NGOs) only to provide specific welfare services to uplift our social conditions.

In this 'NGO-Developer Deal' the agenda id to serve self-interest and make money, for both the partiesthe so-called NGO bosses and their chosen developers. All these are happening in government land.

At the same time, in the name of offering public service, the NGO bosses and the developers are evading huge amounts of VAT, Rates, Taxes etc., causing more losses to Public Exchequer.

What is more interesting is that the RAJUK and the housing and settlement departments are approving these "market complex" construction plans by taking kickback.

Similarly, the departments assigned to oversee the activities of the NGOs are conspicuously nonchalant and/or prefer to condone the whole affair. They (these departments) never ask the NGOs about the sources of such huge funding.

Conventional wisdom suggests that, with such a backdrop, the prime minister's Office should be pro-active to immediately put an injunction and stop the construction of such "market complex" under the 'NGO-developer deal.' It is serious issue.