MHA approval must for Greenpeace foreign aid

The Centre has asked the Reserve Bank of India to seek the Home Ministry’s permission before approving any contribution made to non-governmental organisation Greenpeace India by its overseas donors.

The move came in the wake of an Intelligence Bureau report that foreign-funded NGOs, including Greenpeace, were creating obstacles to India’s economic growth.

The RBI has also been asked to report to the government if any public sector department or institution was receiving such funds. The Home Ministry has giventhis direction to the RBI in a letter dated June 13.

“Any contribution from Greenpeace International and Climate Works Foundation to Greenpeace India will have to have a prior sanction from the Home Ministry,” an official said, citing a section of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. According to the FCRA, “Central Government may give such directions as it may deem necessary to any other authority or any person or class of persons regarding the carrying into execution of the provisions of this Act.”

Greenpeace International and Climate Works Foundation are the two major overseas contributors to Greenpeace India.

According to the IB report, Greenpeace was trying to raise issues like hazardous e-waste generated by Information Technology-based service providers, opposing genetically modified food crops and coal fired power plants, thereby stalling growth of the country.