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Non-governmental organisations are big business in Bangladesh. Donors say they often prefer to fund NGO projects to avoid government bureaucracy.
More than 1,300 NGOs operate in the country, including the world's biggest national NGO, BRAC, and the internationally renowned Grameen Bank, which lends to the poor.
There have been calls for greater accountability, but this is the first time the government has stepped in and taken over the running of a big NGO.
Complaints by employees
It began investigating the affairs of GSS - which stands for People's Aid in Bengali - following complaints by employees alleging financial irregularities and sexual harassment.
However, other staff members said the complaints actually stemmed from changes in their conditions of employment, making it easier for them to be sacked.
During the investigation, GSS's village schools and other programmes all but ground to a halt.
The government's NGO affairs bureau says it has uncovered gross irregularities and evidence of misuse of donors' money. It says criminal charges may be brought if the allegations are substantiated.
Meanwhile, it has appointed new managers and wants GSS to resume its much-praised work.
But the international donors are waiting to see whether the mess is cleared before handing over another $18m already approved by Brussels.
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