Government seeks details from foreign entities in India

NEW DELHI: Amid allegations of suspicious dealings by some foreign entities having their offices in India, the Government has initiated moves to get from all the foreign entities details of their interaction during the course of their duties in the country.

The Union Home Ministry has asked the entities to furnish details about their interaction with Government departments, public sector undertakings and also civil society.

A circular from the Internal Security division of the Ministry makes it mandatory for the entities to furnish all the details of those employed for carrying out liaison work in the country.

The circular came against the backdrop of allegations that some of the foreign entities engaged in corrupt practices to get tenders while some were suspected to have funded civil societies for fanning agitations like at Kudankulam nuclear project in Tamil Nadu.

The circular has been sent to various ministries including Ministry of Communication asking them to ensure security clearance before foreign entities set up liaison, branches or project offices in India.

The Ministry has also handed over a fresh two-page form which all foreign entities are required to fill.

The form seeks details of the employees working with the Indian office besides asking them to provide details about the foreign nationals who had visited India from that company.

The new circular seeks details from the companies about their contacts with government departments and public sector undertakings which also includes providing names of the officials.

It also seeks details from the foreign entities whether they had any contact with civil society, trusts or non-governmental organisations.