"A campaign is being waged against dissent, but we will not be cowed,” the NGO said on its official blog.
On Thursday, the Government barred Greenpeace India from receiving foreign funds with immediate effect. It also suspended its licence for six months and froze all its accounts, alleging it has "prejudicially" affected the country's public and economic interests.
In an order sent to Greenpeace India, the Home Ministry said that the licence of the organisation will also be cancelled permanently if the NGO fails to make satisfactory presentation to the government.
"..the association has under reported and repeatedly mentioned incorrect amount of foreign contribution received in violation of the FCRA. The most glaring example being foreign contribution opening balance for 2008-09, which was reported as NIL in auditor's certificate but was actually Rs 6.6 crore. The Greenpeace India subsequently admitted the same and claimed it to be a typographical error, which is not tenable," it said.
(Read the MHA notice here.)
With government tightening norms of fundings to NGOs, security agencies have alleged that nearly 200 foreign donors were indulging in money laundering under the garb of donating money to some of these organisations.
Reacting to the show cause notice, Greenpeace India on their blog said that they will not be cowed down by the attempts made by MHA and the government.
Greenpeace India Executive Director, Samit Aich said in a statement, “This is a smear, pure and simple. All of this was put before the Delhi High Court when we brought a case against the Centre, and the court decided in our favour. This feels like a revealing moment, one that says much more about the MHA than it does about Greenpeace. We believe in the Indian legal system. A campaign is being waged against dissent, but we will not be cowed.”
The NGO took to Twitter to defend the donations that they have been receiving.
Greenpeace India also released their funding sources and figures in the financial year 2014-2015. According to that report, Greenpeace International contributes upto 23%, Bertha Foundation- 9% and Indian Supporters contribute upto 68% of the NGO's funding.
The report further states that the NGO received Rs 30.36 crore in the financial year 2014-2015, of which Rs 20.76 crore was given by Indian supporters.
(Read the full report here.)
Sameer Aich further added that “We will continue to work towards clean air, clean water and inclusive development in India because we believe that every citizen is entitled to it. Our work is supported by people of this country and 70 percent of Greenpeace India’s funds come from Indian donors.”
Referring to the last clash between the NGO and MHA, Greenpeace India said, "On January 20, the Delhi High Court had directed the MHA to transfer the blocked foreign funds from Greenpeace International and Climate Works Foundation to Greenpeace India’s accounts declaring MHA’s actions to be arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional upholding the legitimacy of the issues that the NGO takes up in India. The High Court observed that the Ministry of Home Affairs in its reply had stated that Greenpeace India can have access to all other foreign funds except Greenpeace International as Greenpeace International has been put on a watch-list. But it was observed that no material was put on record against Greenpeace International."
(With Agency Inputs)
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