Province 4 Chief Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung has remarked that non-governmental organisations (NGO) and international NGOs working in Nepal are only teaching the people to seek their rights but failing to teach them civic responsibilities.

Saying the tendency to seek rights without responsibility has created a type of revolt, struggle and pressure, Minister Gurung underscored that the agencies should also teach responsibilities to the people. He expressed his desire to work in coordination with the NGOs as they are trustworthy partners for development and public awareness.

“NGOs should function to meet the government’s objectives rather than working unilaterally based on its own strategy and agenda,” said the chief minister, speaking at the inauguration of civilian assembly and first assembly of Province 4 NGO Federation of Nepal in Pokhara on Sunday. “Our province has a lot of potentialities for development as we have enough resources and means. Thus, the NGOs should work hand in hand with the government to develop the province,” said CM Gurung.

Saying the NGOs can’t work in an arbitrary manner, the chief minister said the NGOs so far have not been able to perform as per the aspirations of the state and people. He noted that it is also the duty of NGOs to support in reviving the feeling for nation, nationality and people. “A nation can’t achieve its glory and prosperity without my country, people, I and we,” he said, advising the NGOs to work with the government for the target group.

He said voices are growing louder that NGOs are trying to become a parallel organisation of the government, becoming out of control and function against the government’s sprit.

Chief Minister Gurung urged the NGOs to work by putting the state and government at its core as they are the root. He, however, praised the NGOs as a vital government body for its crucial role in raising awareness. “Free yourself [NGOs] from the accusations of confining to headquarters and mainstreams ,” he said, advising the NGOs to reach out to people in remote villages.