Govt Suspends FCRA Licence Of Think-Tank 'Centre For Policy Research' For Violating Laws

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has suspended the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence of think-tank Centre For Policy Research (CPR) for violating laws.

Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's daughter Yamini Aiyar is the president and chief executive of the Delhi-based think tank.

CPR's FCRA licence was under scrutiny after Income Tax surveys on CPR and Oxfam India in September last year, reports Economic Times.

Following the I-T survey, Oxfam’s FCRA licence was revoked in January 2022, after which the NGO had filed a revision petition with the home ministry.

According to the officials cited by ET in its report, CPR’s license was revoked recently citing non-compliance of FCRA norm.

CPR receives grants from a variety of domestic and international sources, including foundations, corporate philanthropy, governments, and multilateral agencies, according to the think-tank's website.

In a statement on Wednesday (1 March), CPR said, "In light of the current MHA order, we will explore all avenues of recourse available to us".

This action comes days after investment mogul George Soros openly criticised Modi government and sought its removal, raising fears of foreign intervention in Indian politics.