ICC Note:

Following appeals from American lawmakers, India’s Home Ministry has said it is unlikely to reconsider its decision to ban Compassion International from funding its programs in India. India initially ban Compassion International because it accused the US-based NGO of being involved in religious conversions. Last week, a public hearing was held before the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee where U.S. officials condemned India for its discriminatory actions. Will India really cut over 150,000 children off from foreign aid?  

12/17/2016 India (Business Standard) – The Home Ministry is unlikely to reconsider its decision banning a US-based donor from funding Indian NGOs notwithstanding consistent appeals by American authorities.

“We have no immediate plans to reconsider the case of Compassion International, the US donor, which was put under ‘prior permission category’ for alleged violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA),” a senior Home Ministry official said.

However, the Home Ministry has allowed the US NGO, accused of promoting religious conversion, to donate to some Indian NGOs after examining its applications on a case-to-case basis.

Recently, Compassion International sought Home Ministry’s approval to fund 35 Indian NGOs of which 10 have been sanctioned by the Ministry, while 25 others are under scrutiny.

Compassion International was put under prior permission category in May last. When a donor organization is put under prior permission category, it is barred from funding any Indian NGO without the nod from the government.

The US donor works in the field of child rights and is accused of promoting religious conversion and funding non-FCRA registered NGOs.

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