At a press meet held after the conclusion of the two-day regional seminars in Hetauda, SWC issued a 10-point Hetauda declaration expressing commitment to monitor the NGO sector. The seminar during which the government and the non-government sector blamed each other agreed to make the NGO sector more transparent through regular monitoring. The 10-point commitment says that the government agencies must receive information in advance before the NGOs conduct any programs in the districts. [break]
While the government agencies accused NGOs of lack of financial transparency, the NGOs said that the government had no right to question their activities as they have been serving the people in the remote areas where the state has no reach.
Representatives of SWC, NGOs and INGO´s had participated in the seminar.
Rabindra Kumar Yadav, member secretary of SWC, read out the commitment made by both the parties at the conclusion of the seminar.
Member secretary Yadav stated that the one door policy for foreign grants is yet to be implemented. He also said that the donors´ money should come through the Social Welfare Ministry but in practice it goes directly to NGOs or other government agencies.
Commitment was also made to seek a tripartite coordination between government, CWC and NGOs for implementation of the NGO programs.
Related story
'Social Welfare Act' to be amended as an umbrella act
