According to a copy of the recommendations obtained by myrepublica.com, the report has categorically stated that all INGOs conducting their activities inside Nepal will have to have a current account in one of the commercial banks and all the aid received by the INGOs for Nepal programs will have to be transacted through that account.
The committee, which was formed by the government to recommend necessary strategies to ensure better utilization of non-governmental aid to Nepal, has also suggested that the details of the transactions made through the accounts should be provided to the research department of Nepal Rastra Bank within seven days of the end of each quarter. After performing the necessary analysis, such reports should then be further forwarded to the Office of the Finance Comptroller General.
"The Office of the Finance Comptroller General will compile quarterly reports that all the INGOs receive and make a yearly report, which will be made available to the Ministry of Finance and the Council for Social Welfare," reads the recommendation made by the government-formed Non-Governmental Foreign Aid Mobilization Committee.
However, the committee has recommended providing a specific time-period for those INGOs that are already in operation in Nepal, to channel through a bank account all the aid that they receive for their Nepal program.
Likewise, the committee has suggested that all the INGOs working inside Nepal should annually conduct a public audit, in order to enhance the accountability and financial transparency on their use of funds that come into Nepal. The committee has also recommended making INGOs liable for publishing final audit reports in national newspapers.
The report has also suggested that government grant work permits to foreigners if there is no willingness on the part of or the availability of Nepal-specific sector-wise experts or volunteers to carry out the work in question. The government has been advised to strictly implement the policy of not allowing representatives or chiefs of INGOs working in Nepal to get perks and benefits from the budget earmarked for their Nepal program.
There are more than 200 INGOs currently engaged in Nepal, in various development and advocacy activities; it is estimated that altogether, the INGOs invest more than ten billion rupees annually for their Nepal- related activities.
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