After suspending FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) licence of Teesta Setalvad’s NGO, Sabrang Trust, and issuing a show cause in September last year, the Union home ministry on Thursday finally cancelled its registration over alleged violations of the Act.
The ministry said in a communication on Thursday, “it was noticed that the organisation received a total donation of Rs 48.42 lakh in 2010-11 and Rs 49.10 lakh in 2011-12, out of which it spent Rs 30.97 lakh and Rs 27.07 lakh during the two years respectively. This comes to 64.23% for 2010-11 and 55.14% for 2011-12 on administrative expenses.”
The Trust, run by Setalvad and her husband Javed Anand, can make a representation against the order within 30 days. However, if the home ministry is not satisfied with the reply of the NGO, its registration will be cancelled.
Another NGO run by Setalvad and her husband, Citizens for Justice and Peace, has already been put under prior permission category, thus making it mandatory for the organisation to take permission from the Home Ministry before accepting or utilising any foreign contribution.
Following a recommendation of the home ministry, the Central Bureau of Investigation has already registered a case and launched a probe against Sabrang Communication and Publishing Pvt Limited, a commercial firm run by Setalvad, for allegedly accepting and utilising foreign contribution in violation of FCRA.
Setalvad pursued the cases of post-Godhra riots victims in Gujarat when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister of the state.
@Agency report.
