The government released foreign donations amounting to about Taka 2.619 crore to reg istered non governmental organisations (NGOs) from January 1991 to July 1994. reports UNB

Deputy Minister for LG RD and Cooperatives Abdul Hai said this in Parliament during the question hour on Wed

The fund to NGOs was released for development work in 19 different sectors, including family planning, education, health, child welfare, women's welfare, infrastructural development. relief and rehabilitation. village and town development and environment.

Giving year wiie break-up of funds Hai said about Tk 488 crore was released in 1991. about Tk 701 crore In 1992. about Tk 593 crore In 1993 and Tk 3o5 crore during the first seven months of 1994.

The foreign funds were released under the Foreign Donation (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Ordinance. 1978.

He. however, said expenses and act Mt les of the NGOs registered under the Societies Registration Act. 1860 and the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) Ordinance. 1961 were not monitored by the NGO Afiairs Bureau under the Prime Minister s Secretariat.

Accounts and activities of those NGOs are looked after by the Sbcial Welfare Directorate Women's Directorate, and other agencies and ministries, the deputy minister added.

Replying to another written question from Abdur Rouf Chowdhury (BNP), the deputy minister said some 809 NGOs have been registered by the NGO Affairs Bureau till July 1994