Meeting with Commerce Minister: Updating Societies Registration Act discussed: 09 January 2012
A group of NGO leaders, in a meeting with the Minister for Commerce Mr. GM Quader on 09 January, reiterated that updating the Societies Registration Act of 1860 would meet the changing needs of the NGOs instead of a new law. They said the existing laws fulfill the needs of the NGOs giving them space to work with innovative programs. Updating a few clauses, however, may be necessary for making the rules more NGO friendly considering the expansion and addition of new programs in the sector. They urged upon the Minister to share the draft law with the stakeholders.
The Minister gave a firm assurance that views of the NGOs would certainly be taken on the draft law before it is finalised. The NGO Federation, Nijera Kori, BELA, Manusher Jonno and TIB took part in the discussion.
Amendments to NGO laws: Ministers assure sharing with stakeholders: 11 October 2011
The Minister for Commerce Mr. Muhammad Faruk Khan and the Minister for Social Welfare Mr. Enamul Hoque Mostafa Shaheed have assured the NGO leaders that detailed discussions will be held with the stakeholders and their views will be given due consideration before finalizing the proposed draft laws on the NGOs. Calling the NGOs as partners in development they said that nothing will be imposed on them.
In separate meetings with the Minister for Commerce and the Minister for Social Welfare on October 09 and 11 respectively, leading NGO networks and organizations urged upon the Government to share with them the proposed new laws amending/replacing the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) Ordinance, 1961. They said the existing laws fulfill the needs of the NGOs giving them space to work with innovative programs for the benefit of the poor and the disadvantaged. Updating a few clauses may be necessary with a view to making the rules more NGO friendly considering the fast expansion and addition of a number of new programs in the NGO sector. This, they said, can be done within the frame of the existing laws and a detailed discussion with the stakeholders (NGOs) will help identify and update them. The NGO leaders also underlined the need for activating the existing monitoring mechanism of the Government.
NGO Federation, BRAC, ASA, CAMPE, Nijera Kori, Ain O Shalish Kendra, BELA, TIB, INAFI, CDF, ALRD and Dhaka Ahsania Mission took part in the discussions.