New Delhi:
Narendra Modi government, in yet another crackdown on NGOs receiving foreign funds, on Tuesday cancelled licences of nearly 10,000 such entities for violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
The step came after Modi government's clampdown on USA funding agency Ford Foundation raised a few eyebrows on Friday. The crackdown on the USA-funding agency comes days after another NGO – Greenpeace- earned negative rapport from the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
A high-profile private funding agency Ford was put on ‘'prior permission' list due to ‘national security’ concerns. But, what does this mean?
Is the whole case about a charity organisation doing fraud or again Teesta Setalwad (the face of Gujarat riots) has earned a negative appointment only with the Central government this time.
And, if that is the case then is Ford Foundation facing the brunt of Modi vs Setalwad? To seek all answers, let us take a look at Ford’s case!
Now, as per the decree, Ford’s all funds coming to India will be first scrutinised and cleared by Home Ministry before reaching the respective organisation.
As per the new directives, Ford Foundation’s all activities will be watched under Section 46 of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act 2010.
An order stating the same has been signed by Home Ministry Undersecretary Anand Joshi and sent to the Reserve Bank of India.
According to Home Ministry sources, “Several NGOs were found to be receiving funds from Ford but they have not filed the mandatory documents, including balance sheets and annual reports. Hence, the step was taken on account of anomalies.”
‘Sabrang Trust’, an NGO run by activist Teesta Setalvad, invited attention after Gujarat government complained to Home Ministry and sought action against US-based organisation Ford Foundation of interfering in the internal affairs of the country.
The state government also accused Ford of ‘abetting communal disharmony’ through an NGO run by the social activist, who has been fighting for the victims of communal violence in 2002 Gujarat riots for a long time now.
According to Gujarat Minister of State for Home Rajnikant Patel, “Ford Foundation had given more than $500,000 to Setalvad's NGO. During the investigation of Gulberg Society museum funds embezzlement case, these things came to light."
Notably, the Gujarat government and Setalvad are already embroiled in legal battles over Gujarat riots.
Ford has been blocked in India for funding several other organisations as well.
Their about $100,000 grants to the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) are also under scanner.
If reports are to be believed then the Foundation had also funded NGOs related with Aam Admi Party (AAP) leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Yogendra Yadav, Meera Sanyal and Manish Sisodia.
In fact, in one of the reports noted author Arundhati Roy also pointed out that Anna Hazare’s 2011 Jan Lokpal movement got a boost from Ford Foundation with Kejriwal's NGO Kabir getting about $400,000.
However, the party has denied receiving any funding from Ford Foundation so far.
Other fundings by Ford includes- Mallika Sarabhai’s Darpana, Amartya Sen for its books – Ideas of Justice.
The curious case of Ford raises some other imperative questions- Is India really safe on economic front? Are these organisations on the name of charity duping Indian government?
Is Ford Foundation only a front face of some bigger conspiracy? Only time will tell!
