Financial Action Task Force launches probe into India's NGO handling

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global anti-money laundering watchdog based in Paris, is set to scrutinize India for its handling of non-profit organizations (NGOs), as per a Bloomberg report. The investigation aims to assess whether local laws are being misused to suppress NGOs and think tanks, including internationally recognized entities like Amnesty International and the Center for Policy Research.

Under Indian laws, all NGOs are required to obtain a foreign contribution license to receive international donations, overseen federally by the Home Ministry.

Critics like Amnesty argue that the administration has increasingly exploited these regulations to curtail the activities of NGOs and hinder their work. Organizations, including Greenpeace and Amnesty International, have allegedly faced challenges and, in some cases, shut down operations due to alleged harassment by government agencies.

The FATF plans to send a team to India in November to meet with representatives from NGOs, both local and international, to gain firsthand insights into the situation, reported Bloomberg.

The FATF's Mutual Evaluation process is aimed at ensuring legitimate charitable activities are not disrupted. 

As per Bloomberg, The Indian government removed the list of organizations with cancelled licenses from public view in July 2022. This further complicates the situation, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in its dealings with NGOs. 

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