Modi Government cancels Licences of 8,975 NGOs

The Narendra Modi-led NDA Government has intensified its massive crackdown on NGOs and social organisations that make merry on the foreign funds, but do not contribute to the nation building. The government has cancelled the registration of at least 8,975 NGOs across the country for failing to file returns on foreign funds.

The decision was taken by the Union Ministry. The move came just a few days after the Centre put world’s largest charity organisation, Ford Foundation on the watch list and put restrictions on it. While 10,343 associations have not submitted annual returns since 2009-12, only 229 of them responded to the notices.

The government cancelled the registration of 8,975 NGOs with immediate effect. They included 510 NGOs against whom notices were sent but returned undelivered. As per the provisions of the Foreign Contributions Regulations Act, the organisations that receive foreign funds are required to give details of the contributions received, their source and the purpose for which they were used, every year.

The Modi Government had launched a crackdown on many NGOs, lobby groups and related associations following the Intelligence Bureau report that they had been stalling India’s economic growth by campaigning against power projects, mining etc. Earlier, Greenpeace India was barred from receiving foreign funds for working against India’s interests. The Ford Foundation has been asked to ensure “bonafide welfare activities without compromising on concerns of national interest and security”.