Fake NGOs
Organised racketeers pretending to run non-government organisations (NGOs) make screaming headlines only when they go into hiding with enormous amount of money they collect from depositors or are otherwise threatened to be exposed. Usually they become successful in swindling unsuspecting gullible village people for months or even years and then one day flee the area of their nefarious operation. After many other areas, Natore has started to be in the news for the operation of several such so-called NGOs. First, it was the organisers of Freedom Unnayan Sangstha, a Naldanga-based self-declared NGO of that district, who disappeared with about Taka 250 crore. And then the top men of another such fake organisation Pravati Grameen Unnayan Sangstha attempted to follow the former's example when the district administration, after a meeting with its organisers, instructed them to return the depositors' money. On her failure to keep her words about guaranteeing the Pravati operators' unfailing return of money to the depositors, a union parishad (UP) chairperson was assaulted and the hiding operators were later arrested.
Now the question is how can such fake organisations operate for months or years when there are several instances of swindling poor people's money? They conduct the financial dealings in public and the unbelievable rate of return on poor people's deposit they promise to give should be enough to raise doubt about their intention. In this age of easy communication, courtesy of cell phone, anyone can question the veracity of a financial organisation that promises fabulous profit. Any genuine NGO needs to obtain registration from the Social Welfare Office and the verification of an NGO's registration can easily be done.
Why expression of outrage and shock becomes routine only after the cheaters have committed the crime and the poor have become a casualty! Three persons died - two from heart failure and one committed suicide - after the Freedom Unnayan Sangstha had vanished. Unless there is an unholy nexus involving dishonest members of law enforcement agencies, concerned departments and civil society, such organisations cannot come into existence and carry on their illegal operation. Considering the gravity of the situation, a special wing at each DC (deputy commissioner) office can be given the responsibility to monitor such NGOs' operation. The wing will be accountable to a regulatory commission for micro-credit, which has to be set up at the earliest. The local police stations should also be charged with collection of information on any new NGO that starts its operation.
Source:
http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=75242
