Centre cancels FCRA registration of NGO named Centre for Financial Accountability
New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has cancelled the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of the Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA), an NGO that monitors and critically analyses the role of financial institutions and their impact on development, human rights, and the environment.
In a recent report, CFA highlighted the environmental hazards and increased health risks associated with additional projects sanctioned in a Special Economic Zone operated by the Adani Group in the Kutch region of Gujarat. The report warned of further environmental pollution and ecological degradation in the area.
Joe Athialy, Executive Director of CFA, told The Hindu that they had not yet received official orders cancelling the FCRA registration of CACIM (India Institute for Critical Action Centre in Movement), CFA's parent entity, but were informed online. Athialy suggested that the stated reason for the cancellation—incorrect financial filings for 2018 and 2019—was a pretext to suppress their critical work.
“We have been told that the cancellation is due to incorrect filings [of returns] for financial years 2018 and 2019. This may be just an excuse, as they had all the years to ask us to rectify the mistakes. We certainly believe that the work we did has contributed to this action,” Athialy said.
Athialy added that the government appears intent on silencing organizations critical of its actions but emphasized that CFA would continue its work through innovative methods, including domestic donations.
Earlier in January, the MHA cancelled the FCRA registration of the Centre for Policy Research (CPR), a prominent public policy research institution in New Delhi. Since 2015, more than 16,000 NGOs have had their FCRA registrations cancelled for various violations. As of Wednesday, there were 15,946 active FCRA-registered NGOs in India. The registrations of nearly 6,000 NGOs ceased to operate from January 1, 2022, due to non-renewal or refusal by the MHA.
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Armed Forces Flag Day: PM Modi expressed gratitude to Armed Forces
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed deep gratitude to the Armed Forces for protecting the nation with unwavering courage.
"On Armed Forces Flag Day, we express our deepest gratitude to the brave men and women who protect our nation with unwavering courage," he said in a post on X.
The prime minister also made a contribution to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund.
"Their discipline, resolve and spirit shield our people and strengthen our nation. Their commitment stands as a powerful example of duty, discipline and devotion to our nation," the prime minister said, making an appeal to the people to contribute to the Armed Forces Flag Day fund.
