New Delhi: It is goof ups galore in foreigners division of union ministry of home affairs (MHA). After Zakir Naik's Islamic research foundation, 3 other red-flagged NGOs got their FCRA renewed and cancelled when the matter was highlighted by CNN-News18.
These include Teesta Setalvad's Sabrang Trust and Citizens for justice and peace and Greenpeace India. While Setalvad's NGOs are facing CBI probe for misusing funds, Greenpeace was red-flagged for allegedly working against India's national and economic interests.
MHA has now issued orders to cancel the renewal for all three NGOs. "This is shocking. How high-profile NGOs can get such renewals when media is also highlighting that they have been blacklisted?" asked a senior officer on condition of anonymity.
Home secretary has ordered an inquiry and also asked CERTIN to investigate the possibility of hacking of the foreigners division website. In 2015, MHA had automated the FCRA renewal system. A director level officer was given the authority to approve the renewal.
After the latest goof up, Home secretary asked National Informatics Centre (NIC) to alter the renewal software giving a joint secretary level officer the power to alter data. "Once the joint secretary makes changes, the software will become read only for all other staffers," a source explained.
The IRF goof up had lead to suspension of 4 MHA staffers, including a joint secretary level officer. Preliminary probe in the current round of renewals shows that renewals happened around September 9-11, the same time frame when IRF was renewed. "This can't be a coincidence. We have asked for a review of all 13000 NGOs whose FCRA renewal happened in the last few months," a source said.
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