KHAR, Oct 8:  The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has terminated services of its 16 employees in Bajaur Agency on charges of corruption and mismanagement.

The action was taken against the workers on the complaints of tribal elders, an official of NRC told Dawn.

He said that the terminated workers were involved in several cases of corruption.

The official said that they had received complaints from local elders about mismanagement by their staffers working on different positions. He said that a committee was constituted by NRC that launched investigation against the workers.

The official said that according to the committee several senior staff members of NRC were involved in mismanagement and corruption. They were terminated while the agency coordinator was also replaced, he added.

“The workers were founded involved of getting bribes and other benefits from tribesmen,” the official said.

He said that termination of employees on charges of corruption damaged the reputation of NRC, which was known for carrying out relief activities in the militancy-hit tribal areas.

The official said that NRC was monitoring activities of its all employees properly because it was receiving complainants against its workers. A special monitoring committee was formed for the purpose, he said.

“No one will be allowed to violate the policy of NRC. Strict action will be taken against those employees, who are found involved in illegal activities,” he said.

The official urged tribal people to cooperate with NRC and share with it information about activities of its employees, working in different areas of the agency.

Meanwhile, tribal elders, political leaders and social workers have welcomed the action of NRC taken against its employees and said that it would improve the efficiency of the organisation. They also extended full support to NRC in its activities in the tribal region.—Correspondent