MHA not to reconsider ban on American donor NGO

NEW DELHI: The Home Ministry is unlikely to reconsider its decision banning a US-based donor from funding Indian NGOs notwithstanding consistent appeals by American authorities.

"We have no immediate plans to reconsider the case of Compassion International, the US donor, which was put under 'prior permission category' for alleged violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act ( FCRA)," a senior Home Ministry official said.

However, the Home Ministry has allowed the US NGO, accused of promoting religious conversion, to donate to some Indian NGOs after examining its applications on a case-to-case basis.

Recently, Compassion International sought Home Ministry's approval to fund 35 Indian NGOs of which 10 have been sanctioned by the Ministry, while 25 others are under scrutiny.

Compassion International was put under prior permission category in May last. When a donor organisation is put under prior permission category, it is barred from funding any Indian NGO without the nod from the government.

The US donor works in the field of child rights and is accused of promoting religious conversion and funding non-FCRA registered NGOs.

The Home Ministry took the action after receiving reports that funds from Compassion International were being received by Chennai-based 'Caruna Bal Vikas', which in turn was distributing the aid to non-registered NGOs.

US Secretary of State John Kerry, during a visit to India in September, is said to have asked External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to reconsider the decision to place Compassion International in the prior permission category.

The US Embassy officials too have been following up the issue with the Home Ministry through the Ministry of External Affairs.