In a tough action, the Government on Thursday barred Greenpeace India from receiving foreign funds with immediate effect by suspending its licence for six months and froze all its accounts, alleging it has “prejudicially” affected the country's public and economic interests.
The environmental activist group was also served a notice by the government which asked why its registration should not be cancelled permanently.
The decision was taken by the Union home ministry after it was found that the NGO has “prejudicially affected the public interests and economic interests of the country in violation” of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.
Reacting to the move, Greenpeace India said it will not be “cowed” down by a “campaign against dissent” and is seeking legal counsel in the matter.
In a dossier on Greenpeace India, prepared after more than six month long investigation on the activities of the NGO, the home ministry said foreign contribution was used “to influence and lobby for the formation of government policies”.
In its notice to the Greenpeace, the home ministry said it has been found that multiple transfers were made to multiple accounts including inter-account transfers from utilisation account without any intimation or permission of the government.
"The association has under reported and repeatedly mentioned incorrect amount of foreign contribution received in violation of the FCRA. The most glaring example was the foreign contribution opening balance for 2008-09. This was reported as NIL in the auditor’s certificate but was actually Rs 6.6 crore. The Greenpeace India subsequently admitted the same and claimed it to be a typographical error, which is not tenable,” it said.
The home ministry dossier said in contravention of the FCRA rules; Greenpeace was also in talks with the Aam Aadmi Party and declared the NGO's consultant Pankaj Singh as the AAP candidate from Mahaan for Sidhi Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh.
Singh subsequently resigned from Greenpeace and joined AAP to contest the elections. However, latest information indicates that he is again active in Greenpeace activity in Madhya Pradesh, the Home Ministry report said.
Two cyber experts (both British nationals) visited Greenpeace office in Bengaluru in January 2014, upgraded its communication systems and installed sophisticated and encrypted software in its servers and computers.
The air travel expenses of the foreigners are met from the account of the Greenpeace India, it said.
Read more at: Govt acts tough against Greenpeace India, freezes bank accounts - Rediff.com India News
