1,445 foreign-funded NGOs got registration in last 16 yrs

The NGO Affairs Bureau gave registration to 1,445 foreign-funded non-government organisations in the last 16 years, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury told parliament yesterday.

While replying to lawmakers' queries, Matia also informed that registration of 90 NGOs were cancelled during the same period.

In a scripted answer, Matia, also in charge of Prime Minister's Office for parliamentary affairs, said of the 90, 88 were cancelled in 2010 and one each in 2014 and 2016.

Matia said 75 NGOs got registered in 2016, while 372 between 2011 and 2015, 565 between 2006 and 2010, and 343 between 2001 and 2005.

Sources in the NGO Affairs Bureau said the government had cancelled the registration of the NGOs for their involvement in corruption, misuse of foreign funds and patronising militancy.