NGOs ask PM to end clampdown, initiate talks

Slamming the government for its crackdown on nearly 9,000 NGOs, civil society groups today asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to end "coercive actions" immediately and amend "opaque" rules and regulations regarding foreign funding to ensure transparency.
In an open letter to Modi, they demanded urgent revocation of punitive actions against the NGOs saying grounds of such measures were "vougue, subjective or flimsy" and sought dialogue between the NGO sector and government to address the issues. The letter has been signed by over 170 organisations from across the country.
The civil society groups asked Modi to amend rules and regulations under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and removal of provisions that are amenable to "subjective interpretations" besides seeking a mechanisms for grivance redressal.

"Put an end to coercive actions against NGOs and donors, without reasonable cause or due process, or seek to cripple the ability of these organisations to carry on their legitimate and sanctioned work," they said in the letter which was released at a press briefing.
In a crackdown on NGOs allegedly receiving illegal foreign funds, the government last month had cancelled licences of nearly 9,000 such entities for violation of FCRA.
The US-based Ford Foundation has also been put on the 'watch list' by the Home Ministry, which directed that funds coming from the international donor should not be released by any bank to any Indian NGO without mandatory permission from it. The government had also barred Greenpeace India from receiving foreign funds with immediate effect.

Accusing the government of adopting "double-standards" in acting against the NGOs, the civil society groups particularly questioned regulatory measures against INSAF, Peoples Watch, Sabrang Trust, Greenpeace India, Ford Foundation among others.

In the letter, the groups demanded complete clarity and transparency on various provisions and processes ensure uniform application of laws to all NGOs, trusts, foundations, and societies.
"Funds are being frozen, intelligence reports are being selectively released to paint NGOs in poor light, disbursal of funds are being subjected to case-by-case clearance, and their activities are reportedly being placed on 'watch lists'.
"As a result several NGO projects have shut down, donors are unable to support work, and there is an overall atmosphere of State coercion and intimidation in India's civil society space," they said.