Greenpeace says HC decision on accounts a 'lifeline'

Environment NGO Greenpeace on Wednesday said the Delhi High Court's decision allowing it to operate two of its domestic accounts was a "lifeline" and vowed to immediately restart its campaigns to reduce air pollution, protect forests and boost solar power.

"We're enormously relieved that the court has given us this lifeline. We are now able to continue our campaigns on air pollution and solar power while we prepare to fight the main case," Greenpeace India executive director Samit Aich said.

The high court on Wednesday allowed the NGO to operate two of its domestic accounts to accept fresh domestic contribution which it can use for its day-to-day functioning.

The court said it was giving the interim relief to the NGO so that it can continue to work at the moment while it clarified that the NGO cannot utilise the amount frozen by the government.

The court was hearing a plea of Greenpeace India to de-freeze its international and national bank accounts, which were blocked following a home ministry directive last month.

"This will allow us access to the regular donations from our Indian donors, as well as savings that we held in fixed deposits. Together, these represent the vast majority of our cash reserves," the NGO said.

Aich said he trusted that the home ministry will respect the court's decision and not take any further arbitrary actions between now and then.

"We hope that this can mark a fresh start in our relationship with the Home Minister (Rajnath Singh), and I am ready to meet with him to discuss how Greenpeace can play a role in India's sustainable development in the years to come," Aich said.