Dhaka:Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced in Parliament that 722 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have had their registrations cancelled and operations shut down by the NGO Affairs Bureau between 2009 and 2024.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the cancellations occurred for several reasons, including failure to apply for renewal within the stipulated time, embezzlement of funds through forgery of signatures, violation of conditions imposed at the time of registration, and submission of fake or forged Letters of Intent (LOI).
Minister Ahmed provided this information in a scripted reply to a question from BNP lawmaker Md. Jalal Uddin from Kishoreganj-2. He emphasized that NGOs play a significant role alongside the government in improving the socio-economic conditions of the country.
Since its establishment in 1990, the NGO Affairs Bureau, operating under the Prime Minister's Office, has been responsible for coordinating voluntary project activities undertaken by NGOs that receive foreign donations. The minister highlighted the importance of NGOs in implementing the current government's election manifesto and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Bureau coordinates various NGO projects aimed at poverty alleviation, ending hunger, public health, quality education, gender equality, addressing climate change risks, preventing violence against women, ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation, and promoting sustainable development. The NGO Affairs Bureau oversees registration, renewal of registrations, project approvals, fund releases, and the monitoring and evaluation of NGO projects.