The government has introduced stringent measures to monitor the activities of non-government organisations and international NGOs.

The Kathmandu District Administration Office (DAO) has notified the NGOs registered with it to comply with a number of newly introduced rules set by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The notice says non-profit making organisations are required to submit additional details than those demanded under the Association Registration Act-1977. As per the decision of the Home Ministry, office bearers and staff of such organisations have to submit property details while registering or renewing organisations.

Moreover, the organisations will have to submit reports to the authorities every four months. The DAO has asked I/NGOs to submit financial and progress reports outlining their activities periodically.

“The directive aims to manage the sector properly,” said Basu Dev Ghimire, assistant chief district officer in Kathmandu. “It will also discourage the tendency to make financial gains through involvement in non-profit or voluntary organisations.”

The directives also want such institutions to focus on a single area of work. Non-government organisations coming for renewal will have to amend their statute to specify their field of work, the notice reads.

“This way, we will get to know the exact number of I/NGOs working in various sectors,” Ghimire said, adding that organisations not renewed for three years in a row will be scrapped.

The fresh moves of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP)-led ruling coalition worry the non-government sector. Gopal Lamsal, chairman of the NGO Federation of Nepal, said the blanket decision has raised suspicions. He said the government had come up with the measures without consultation with the stakeholders.

“The bid to manage the sector is welcome. But it should not breach the existing laws,” said Lamsal, adding that the order to comply with the newly framed rules within 15 days was impractical. “How can one deliver a financial report and finalise a single area of work within a brief period of time?” Lamsal wondered.

An NGO Federation delegation is set to meet Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa to discuss the issue on Thursday.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens jointly decided to scrap the registration of I/NGOs preaching religious beliefs, and those engaged in political activities and corruption.

New order

• Office bearers and staffers of non-profit organisations required to submit property details
• Reports to be submitted every four months
• Organisations to define a single area to work
• Organisations failing to renew for three years in a row to be scrapped