Greenpeace refutes Income Tax Department's allegations

The Greenpeace India on Saturday refuted all the allegations levelled against it by the Income Tax Department (ITD) and said that it was a part of a well orchestrated clampdown on the NGO.

Greenpeace India has stated that it is concerned with the ITD's unjustified demand for several crores as it appeared to be part of a government strategy to suppress NGOs

"As far as the cancellation of charity status is concerned there has been no official communication on this issue and we came to know about this only through media stories. This is a rotten tactic that the government agencies have been using with us for the past couple of months," said Samit Aich, Executive Director of Greenpeace India.

On allegations that over 50 percent of Greenpeace India's funds were spent administrative expenses, the NGO stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs's FCRA wing has given no clarity on how it arrived at such a high percentage.

"The MHA has been vague and has given no basis of how they arrived at this conclusion," stated Aich.

Both the entities of Greenpeace India -Greenpeace India Society (GPIS) and Greenpeace Environment Trust (GPET) continue to be registered as Charitable Organisations under the IT Act and also continue to enjoy registration under Section 80 G of the Income tax Act.

GPIS and GPET are two separate entities with separate bank accounts and books. Both the entities have received two tax notices for Assessment Year 2010-2011.

Greenpeace is contesting the IT Department's tax demand through the appropriate legal channels, and has paid 50 percent of the demand, while the appeals process is underway, and obtained a stay for the remaining amount.