Teesta Setalvad's NGO to challenge MHA's order of FCRA cancellation

Sabrang Trust, an NGO run by activist Teesta Setalvad on Thursday said that it will challenge the Home Ministry orders under which the licence of the organisation has been cancelled under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010.

The termination of the licence will block all foreign funding in Teesta's NGO, which was suspended last year for six months with effect from 10 September, 2015 for violating Foreign Currency (Regulation) Act.

Issuing a statement, Sabrang Trust said, "Trustees regret to note that today's order of the Home Ministry is simply a mechanical reiteration of the very same allegation made earlier, in total disregard to the detailed and reasoned explanations and arguments put forward by the trust."

"Sabrang will actively explore all legal options to challenge the Home Ministry's order cancelling FCRA registration," the statement added.

The government today cancelled the licence of Teesta Setalvad's NGO for alleged violation of various provisions of the FCRA.

In an order, the Home Ministry said, during inspections, various irregularities were found in the NGO, where Teesta and her spouse work as chief functionaries.

According to the ministry, the couple is also working as directors, co-editors and publishers in Sabrang Communications and Publishing Pvt Limited (SCPPL).

The Sabrang Trust has spent Rs. 50 lakh for SCPPL, which was clearly violation of the mandate of the FCRA, as it utilised the foreign contribution for the purposes of publishing a magazine in unauthorised manner.

Another NGO, Citizens for Justice and Peace, run by them has already been put under prior permission category, thus making it mandatory for it to take permission from the Home Ministry before accepting or utilising any foreign contribution.