Government plans to cancel FCRA registration of Teesta Setalvad's NGOs

NEW DELHI: The home ministry is set to cancel the FCRA registration of two NGOs of activist Teesta Setalvad even as it has promised to relax the renewal regime for NGOs in general by making it simpler. The ministry could reduce the number of documents required for the renewal exercise and make the process entirely online. NGOs apply for renewal of their FCRA licence every five years. The ministry plans to reduce the human interface between NGOs and its officials, and make the process online to promote “good” NGOs that are following the FCRA regime studiously, a senior home ministry official said, adding that the move will also check corruption.

However, the NGOs of Setalvad are expected to face more heat in the days to come. The home ministry has got no reply to the show-cause notices it issued on June 4 to Sabrang Trust and Citizens for Justice & Peace (CJP) for alleged FCRA violations. The ministry had sought a reply in 15 days. “If they do not reply soon enough, we will proceed to cancel the FCRA registration of both these NGOs,” another home ministry official said.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju had told ET in an interview last week that “good” NGOs should not suffer because of “bad” NGOs. While the former will be protected, promoted and rewarded, the latter need “to be tamed.”