Chitwan, August 15

Slowly and gradually, non-government organisations operating in Chitwan are coming under the remit of the district development committee with the latter cracking its whip.

Such organisations, often frowned at for being opaque in financial matters, were earlier operating with relatively more freedom.

While the DDC has stopped issuing any recommendation to the non-government organisations that hesitate to coordinate with government bodies to carry out their programmes, village secretaries, local political party representatives and ward civil forum too have pledged to nix the irresponsible non-government organisations in Chitwan now.

Following tremendous pressure, as many as 120 non-government organisations operating in Chitwan have submitted details of their expenses for the current fiscal to the DDC office.

According to DDC Chitwan programme officer Ramhari Neupane, the organisations in aggregate have submitted a budget worth 1.08 billion rupees for the current fiscal. “Of the total amount, around 882.74 million rupees is for capital expenses, while the rest is current expenses,” he said.

As per the standard provision, non-government organisations operating at the district level are supposed to submit their budget well before launching any planned project or programme. Similarly, they are supposed to submit a report upon the conclusion of a programme.

According to Neupane, some 35 non-government organisations operating in the district are yet to come under the DDC compass.

“Donors that are funding them will seek letters of recommendation from local bodies and we are dead set on not issuing such letters until they come under the DDC guidelines, they will have to ultimately come under the remit of the DDC,” he said, adding that their activities and expenses meant for the Chepang in the district are in much doubt.

As per data with the district administration office, there are 3,100 non-government organisations. Of them, 585 had renewed their licence last fiscal.