Modi Government Cancels FCRA Licences Of Five NGOs Including Evangelical Fellowship Of India: Here's Why

The Ministry of Home Affairs has revoked the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licences of five prominent non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The NGOs affected by this decision include CNI Synodical Board of Social Service (CNI-SBSS), Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), Indo-Global Social Service Society (IGSSS), Church Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), and Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFOI).

According to an Economic Times report, the FCRA licences of these prominent NGOs were revoked due to their alleged involvement in religious conversion, violations of foreign grants, among others.

The Synodical Board of Social Services (CNI-SBSS) was set up in 1970 concurrently with the establishment of the Church of North India (CNI) and functioned as the official rural development wing of the Church.

In December last year, the license of the Delhi-based Church of North India (CNI) was cancelled by the Home Ministry.

The CNI and its associated bodies faced allegations from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), with raids against CNI for alleged misappropriation of church properties.

According to the report, the National Council of Churches formed the 'NCC Relief Committee' (NCC) at the time of India's Independence, which later evolved into the Church's Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA).

CASA had received foreign donations from various countries, including Germany, the United States, and Sweden, with a substantial amount noted in the FCRA contribution statement from April to June 2023, as per the report.

VHAI, set up in 1970, has collaborated closely with organisations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indian Council of Medical Research. It has received foreign grants from countries such as the USA, France and others.

Another NGO, the Indo Global Social Service Society, which focused on climate resilience, was reportedly receiving foreign funds from Germany, the United Kingdom, and Singapore.

The license of the fifth NGO, the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFOI), was revoked for violating FCRA rules, the report said.

Over the past year, more than 100 NGOs, including notable entities like the Centre for Policy Research, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust (led by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi), and Oxfam India, have lost their FCRA licences due to alleged misuse of foreign grants.

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