Similarly, another NGO, Campus crusade for Christ (CCC), has been allocated Rs 12.7 million for implementing its undefined programs in Dang and other 14 districts. Though documents say that the budget has been released for the organization, documents at the DDC do not mention the tasks it is supposed to do with the budget. "Program is for Dang and other districts. But the papers do not mention what program," said Dr Govinda Acharya, officer at NGO department of DDC. "It has come to our information that the organization received budget for Dang and other districts, but the organization staffs have not come in our contact, yet," he added.
Build Nepal (BN), yet another NGO, has failed to provide documents that justify the budget it has received. Papers at the DDC's NGO department reflect that the organization had committed to work in five districts including Dang starting January till December 2015 and was released Rs 60.29 million. But the papers do not mention the activities and programs it was supposed to implement. The organization has also not come in contact with the DDC so far.
In fact, lots of NGOs follow the suit. Even though huge budget is provided to them for carrying out development activities, outcome is hardly noticed.
"There are number of such NGOs which prepare report of their work without actually doing it. There could be many more such cases which are yet to come to our notice," Acharya said.
In Dang, there are dozens of development organizations in existence. Some are registered in Dang only while others have just 'implemented' their programs here. It is the responsibility of DDC to monitor such organizations. Actually, if law is to be followed, NGOs cannot run their programs without taking approval from concerned DDC. However, NGOs work as they please amid weak government intervention.
According to DDC, Dang, it is unaware of the budget plan and use of a total of Rs 750.23 million by NGOs that are registered outside Dang but had mentioned of carrying out their projects in Dang. "We are unknown whether the programs they mentioned were really organized. If we look at the record, we are unaware of on what topic or how Rs 750 million proposed to work for Dang so far was used by the NGOs," Acharya said.
As per the directive of Social Welfare Council, NGOs have to first propose their program at the local level through DDC. DDC then decides whether to pass the program on the basis of its effectiveness. Once the project is passed, DDC and the concerned organization have written agreement on its implementation. NGOs then need to invite DDC for monitoring. On the other hand, DDC has to monitor the work progress regularly. However, Acharya admits that the provision is simply limited to paper.
"NGOs suddenly appear and tell us that their work is over. They ask for recommendation. In paper, indeed they show this and that work and huge budget, but we hardly know whether that's real or fake," he said adding that the recommendation of DDC is necessary as donor agencies do not clear budget without it.
Acharya further mentioned of an NGO, though reluctant to take its name, which had proposed to work in Dang but later reported that it finished the job by staying in Kathmandu only. "It was related to some agricultural project. It asked for recommendation at the end like any other NGO. When we asked for the program implementation details, it replied that the work has already been done," he said.
DDC deals with NGOs in the beginning and at the end. First, it approves the program which helps NGOs to get budget. Then at the end, recommendation of DDC is needed for final clearance of budget by donor. The monitoring part, which has to be done by DDC, seems to be missing, which is considered as the reason snail paced development in districts though hundreds of NGOs work vowing to bring change. Acharya says that NGOs do as they like and government's monitoring mechanism is weak due to various reasons including lack of resources.
A staff in Dang DDC expressed surprise over the entire matter. "Without the approval of DDC, budget is not released by donors to NGOs, the rule is made by SWC. NGOs are getting their programs sanctioned in abundance. But here we come to know about the matter only after budget is already released!" he said doubting SWC procedures.
Anticipating problem due to the lack of transparency in NGOs' performance, DDC in Dang has suggested the government to immediately check the way NGOs have been working. wrong process of NGOs. Organizing a meeting recently, the DDC suggested the government not to let NGOs as they please.
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