FCRA License Of Delhi-Based Think Tank 'Centre For Policy Research' Cancelled Over "Grave Violations"

After the suspension of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) license of the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) in March 2023, the Centre has now cancelled its FCRA license.

The Delhi-based think tank had lost its tax exemption status in July 2023, nearly four months after its license for receiving foreign donations was revoked.

 "After suspending the licence, the inquiry was initiated and it was decided that the licence should be cancelled as the CPR’s activities are likely to affect the economic interest of the state and the violations are grave in nature," an official was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

The CPR was accused of engaging in activities “not in accordance with the objects and conditions” under which it was registered.

The Income Tax (IT) authorities listed several activities in the notice and cancellation order, including CPR's involvement in the Hasdeo movement against coal mining in the Chhattisgarh forests.

Additionally, the authorities highlighted the receipt of Rs 10.19 crore since 2016 for CPR's Namati-Environmental Justice Programme, which was allegedly primarily used for litigation and complaints rather than research.

The think-tank is currently headed by Yamini Aiyar, daughter of senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar.

In September 2022, the IT department conducted an Income Tax survey at the CPR premises. During surveys, IT officials look into documents such as books of accounts, bank accounts, cash, stock and non-valuable documents.

The search was reported to be carried out based on "credible information" about tax evasion.