The Union Home Ministry canceled the Foreign Contribution Registration Act (FCRA) licenses for five prominent non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on Tuesday, as reported by The Economic Times. As per the reports, the NGO’s are accused of being involved in religious conversion and violations of foreign grant regulations.
The NGO’s whose registrations called off are CNI Synodical Board of Social Service (CNI-SBSS), Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), Indo-Global Social Service Society (IGSSS), Church Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), and Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFOI).
CNI-SBSS was established in 1970 after a series of consultations that began in 1929 with the Church of North India (CNI) with the aim of working in the rural development sector. After raids against CNI by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged misappropriation of church properties, the Home Ministry revoked the license of a Delhi-based NGO last December.
The Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) was formed by the National Council of Churches as the ‘NCC Relief Committee’ (NCC) and later changed to CASA. CASA is said to have taken money from Germany, the United States, and Sweden, with a substantial amount mentioned in the FCRA contribution statement from April to June 2023.
The Indo Global Social Service Society is also reported to have received funds from Germany, the United Kingdom, and Singapore for climate activism.
Established in 1970, VHAI has received foreign grants from countries such as the USA and France. The NGO has been actively involved during major natural disasters such as Gujarat’s Bhuj earthquake, Odisha’s super cyclone, and the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by ET. VHAI has closely collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indian Council of Medical Research.
The Evangelical Fellowship of India had its FCRA license revoked for violating FCRA rules.
Past Events
In January, the license for CPR was revoked after its registration was halted for a year. The think tank was alleged to be involved in the Hadeo movement and had transferred 87% of its donations to Jan Abhivyakti Samajik Vikas Sanstha (JASVS). The movement was launched by JASVS against coal mining in the Hasdeo forests of Chhattisgarh.
In another development in January, Oxfam India reported that its operations had practically come to a standstill due to the central government’s refusal to renew its Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) license, as reported by The Indian Express.
Over the past year, more than 100 NGOs, including notable entities like the Centre for Policy Research, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust (led by former Congress presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi), and Oxfam India, have lost their FCRA licenses due to alleged misuse of foreign grants.
