Supreme Court To Hear Plea For Foreign Funding Clearance To 6,000 NGOs Today

New Delhi: The Supreme Court will hear a petition against the centre’s refusal to renew licences required to get foreign funding for thousands of non-profits that could impair their vital humanitarian, advocacy and other operations in India.

US-based non-governmental organisation or NGO Global Peace Initiative that filed the plea said the licence cancellation can have a debilitating effect on COVID-19 relief efforts. This comes at a time when the country is battling its third wave of infections and the work done by many of these 6,000 NGOs has been commendable.

The plea sought an extension of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act or FCRA Licenses for these NGOs till at least COVID-19 remains a “national disaster”.

“The sudden and arbitrary cancellation of FCRA registration of thousands of these NGOs violates the rights of the organisations, their workers as well as the millions of Indians who they serve,” the petition was quoted as saying by NDTV.

“This is especially relevant at a time when the country is facing the third wave of the COVID-19 virus… The cancellation of the licenses of close to 6000 NGOs at this time will hamper relief efforts and lead to denial of aid to citizens in need,” it said.

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