Govt Revokes Foreign Funding Licence Of Centre For Policy Research

The government has suspended the leading think-tank Centre for Policy Research's (CPR) licence under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) for allegedly violating the law's provisions, according to people familiar with the matter

“On Monday, the suspension was ordered based on prima facie evidence that certain FCRA provisions were not followed. A thorough investigation will be conducted following the suspension, and further decisions will be made (as appropriate),” said an unnamed Union home ministry official.

CPR has been conducting research on India's 21st-century challenges since 1973.

CPR's chairperson is Meenakshi Gopinath, a political scientist who taught at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

As part of an investigation into foreign funding, the Income Tax (IT) department “surveyed” the records of CPR, the NGO Oxfam India, and the Bengaluru-based Independent and Public-Spirited Media Foundation in September.

According to those cited above, the decision to suspend CPR's licence was made after the IT department submitted its findings to the government.

Foreign funding for Oxfam India was previously halted in December 2021 when the Union Home Ministry refused to renew its FCRA licence.

FCRA licences can be suspended for a period of 180 days. During this time, an organisation cannot receive foreign funding, and funds in its foreign funding account can only be used with the ministry's prior approval.