NGOs spent only 25% fund for Rohingyas: Minister

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque today blasted NGOs and aid agencies alleging they spent only a quarter of the funds they received to sooth the miseries of Rohingyas while most of the amount were spent to pay their hotel bills.

"The foreign organizations spent Tk 150 crore to pay their hotel bills and another eight crore for renting flats and houses in the last six months," he told newsmen emerging from a meeting on Cabinet Committee on Law and Order.

Haque, who presided over the meeting as the committee chairman at the home ministry conference room, described the aid agencies gesture to be "saddening".

"The cabinet committee has expressed their concern over the activities of NGOs . . . some of them are working for the Rohingyas with a different motive," he said.

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Haque asked the law enforcement agencies to submit a list of NGOs who were operating in Rohingya camps with an "ill motive".

The minister's comments came as the newly constituted cabinet committee held its first meeting since Awami League was reelected to power for the third consecutive term in the December 30 elections.

Haque said works, however, were underway to relocate Rohingyas on Bhasanchar preparing the offshore island livable constructing required structures there.

Haque said the meeting thanked the law enforcement agencies for giving support to the election commission for holding the national election peacefully.

"We are very much successful in controlling illegal drugs. Law enforcers are working against smuggling of drugs from outside," he said.

The minister said the government now launched a two thronged actions against drug abusers as well — identify drug abusers and their rehabilitation work. Replying to a query, the committee chairman said the current law and order situation was now better than before while the intelligence agencies were asked to gear up their vigilance in major cities.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Law Minister Anisul Huq, Shipping Minister Khalid Mahmood Chowdhury, secretaries of two home ministry divisions, police's inspector general, directors general of BGB, Coastguard, RAB, DMP Commissioner representatives of different intelligence agencies took part in the meeting.

Talking about the traffic congestion, the Liberation War Minister said, "We will invite mayors for the next meeting, because "without their active cooperation, it is not possible to completely control traffic congestions in the city".