Monitoring NGOs

Thousands of NGOs are registered with various ministries and departments of the Sindh government, including the departments of social welfare, industries, and cooperative societies. Of them, many fall under cooperative societies. However, they do not have a proper mechanism to monitor the activities of NGOs after registration. The social welfare department has a proper mechanism and officers to observe the activities of NGOs under the 1961 and 1962 Act of Voluntary Agencies. Many NGO officials have come to know about the wave of tough vigilance and decided against getting their organisations registered under the social welfare department.

If they get their NGOs registered by the department, they will have to submit an annual audit report, the annual renewal fee of Rs2,000 and an election report of office bearers after every two years at the office of the department’s assistant director at their concerned taluka. In addition, all activities carried out under the name of the NGO will be closely monitored by the relevant assistant director. Such steps prevent the misuse of donations and other related funds. In light of these concerns, the higher authorities should authorise only one department to register all NGOs so that these organisations are monitored in an effective manner.

Raza Muhammad Memon ( Hyderabad )