Some NGOs acted illegally: India defends FCRA action

Asserting that activities of civil society and human rights groups must conform to local laws, the government said Thursday action was taken against some civil society organisations due to their illegal practices, including mala fide rerouting of money and continuing violations of foreign exchange management rules and tax laws of the country.

Geneva/ Delhi: As the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of India’s human rights record is underway in Geneva, some member states raised concerns over the issue of the Foreign Contribution (regulation) Act, 2010. Ireland voiced concern about the application of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, under which over 6000 NGOs have had their operation licenses revoked.

Responding to the questions raised by member states concerning the FCRA, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta said that actions were taken against some organisations due to their “illegal practices, including mala fide rerouting of money and willful and continuing violations of extant legal provisions, foreign exchange management rules and tax laws of India”.