Many distressed recipients in worst affected Gournadi and Agailjhara upazilas said NGO field officials on boats are visiting their houses off and on for payment of installments. But they declined to be named or quoted, saying this will create problem for them.

"The fear from flood is on the wane, but that from NGO men is increasing. Their visits will increase when the water will subside completely", said a recipient at a village in Agailjhara.

This correspondent also saw some NGO field officials moving door to door on boats to collect arrears or installments.

Local people said NGO men are moving in Khanzapur, Kamalpur, Illa, Baghmara, Barthi, Diasur, Tikasar, Kurirchar, Miarchar, Chandshi areas of Gournadi and Fullashri, Goila, Razihar, Rahutpara, Asoksen, Kathira, Jobarpar areas of Agailjhara upazilas.

Fifty-three NGOs including Caritas, Proshika, BRAC, Grameen Bank, CHCP, VOSD, GHOST, CCDB, Aloshikha, HDEO, BARD, PSUC, BRAVE, BRDB have been operating in the two upazilas.

When contacted, Santosh Kumar Sutradhar, Divisional Coordinator of BRAC, admitted that their men are collecting loan installments in flood-affected areas.

"We are giving relief also", he said.

Abu Sufian, Assistant Manager of Proshika, said they did not get any order from higher authorities to stop the realisation of loan installments.

Some NGO field workers seeking anonymity said their salary will be held up if loan installments are not realised from "defaulters".