MHA to reconsider ban on American donor NGO

The Home Ministry is willing to reconsider its decision to ban a US-based donor from funding Indian NGOs following consistent appeals by American authorities.
"We are ready 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.
Compassion International was put under prior permission category in May last. When a donor organisation 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 funding non-FCRA registered NGOs.

The Home Ministry took the action after receiving reports that funds from Compassion International were being received by Chennai-based 'Caruna Bal Vikas', which in turn was distributing the aid to non-registered NGOs.
US Secretary of State John Kerry, during a visit to India in September, is said to have asked External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to reconsider the decision to place Compassion International in the prior permission category.
The US Embassy officials too have been following up the issue with the Home Ministry through the Ministry of External Affairs.