Kathmandu, November 22:

Maoist leader Dev Gurung has accused I/NGOs of promoting institutional corruption in the country.

“No matter how these NGOs are constituted, they are working here for the benefit of donor countries,” Gurung said at a programme at the Reporters’ Club.He added that corruption will come under control only when the state is formed with people’s participation and when totalitarian regime is eradicated.

Responding to accusation of extortion levelled against the Maoists, Gurung said, “No party in the country can exist without donations. We are just doing what other parties have been doing for decades.”

NC leader Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat said not all NGOs are transparent in the country. “Let the NGOs be transparent and accountable first,” he said. Jayendra Shrestha, member-secretary, Social Welfare Council, said only half of the NGOs operating here are affiliated to the council.