New Delhi, October 3 (IANS). Investigation of some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) by the Income Tax (IT) Department has revealed that they allegedly took foreign funding and were also involved in activities to stop many big economic and development projects of the country. Is accused of happening.
This Income Tax investigation was initiated on September 7, 2022 after searching the offices of Oxfam, Center for Policy Research (CPR), Environics Trust, Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment and Care India Solutions for Sustainable Development. In this investigation, these NGOs have been accused of being involved in activities to stop economic and development projects important for the country.
The Indian Express reported that during the last five years, four out of five NGOs have received more than 75 percent of their funding from abroad.
The report, quoting documents, claims that their operational agenda within India has been affected by their dependence on international donations.
The report further said that NGOs are not only financially linked to each other, but also share key individuals, and integrate them into their missions.
The investigation has also found irregularities in the annual returns, which indicate that foreign funds have been misused.
Due to all these reasons, the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license of these NGOs was stopped and a legal battle regarding this is also going on in the Delhi High Court.
Oxfam is accused of supporting an international campaign targeting the Adani Group and other Indian corporates. CPR is accused of mismanagement of foreign donations, with the department claiming it is involved in the Hasdeo movement against coal mining.
According to the IT report, Environics Trust is accused of funding local projects against many important industrial projects including JAW’s steel plant.
–IANS
ABS/GKT
