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MHA orders probe into leaked IB report on NGOs

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IANS New Delhi

The home ministry Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the leakage of an IB report that claimed some NGOs and their international donors are planning to target many fresh economic development projects.

A ministry official said Delhi Police will probe and submit their report to the home secretary about the Intelligence Bureau (IB) report leak in the media.

"Impact of NGOs on Development", a report prepared by the IB was sent to the Prime Minister's Office, the home minister, the national security adviser, the finance minister and others. The report created uproar after it appeared in the media in June.

The report claimed the NGOs work for stalling development projects along with agitations against nuclear power plants, uranium mines, coal-fired power plants and hydel projects.

 

In a section related to protests against coal mines and coal-fired power projects, the report alleged NGO Greenpeace, an international campaign group present in 40 countries, expanded its activities to oppose coal-fired power plants and coal mining and received Rs.45 crore from abroad in the past seven years.

"It is using foreign funds to create protest movements under 'Coal Network' umbrella at prominent coal block and coal-fired power plant locations in India," the report said.

Reacting to the charge, Greenpeace said instead of destroying India's forests to access coal underneath, it believes India should embrace renewable energy and energy efficiency to meet rapidly-increasing energy needs.

Following the IB report, the ministry, in a letter dated June 13, directed the Reserve Bank of India that all foreign contributions originating from Greenpeace International and Climate Works Foundation - two principal international contributors to Greenpeace India Society - must be kept on hold until individual clearances are obtained from the ministry for each transaction.

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First Published: Jul 09 2014 | 9:14 PM IST

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