Centre for policy research's FCRA licence cancelled
FCRA licence of Centre for Policy Research, a leading non-governmental organisation, for alleged violation of rules, ET has learnt. CPR's Foreign Contribution Registration Act licence was suspended eleven months ago. The cancellation order was issued last Wednesday after long deliberations, an official told ET.
When contacted, a senior functionary at CPR said it had received the cancellation order.
In a written response, CPR president Yamini Aiyar told ET: «CPR firmly reiterated that it has been functioning within the framework of the law. Its work has been built over decades to provide globally recognised high quality research on issues that matter deeply to Indian public life and policy. The cancellation of our FCRA is distressing, for it is a cancellation that is disproportionate and without adequate opportunity to be heard.
We will weigh our options to seek justice. We remain committed to our core goals and remain steadfast in our belief that this matter will be resolved in line with constitutional values and guarantees.»
ET was first to report in its March 1, 2023, edition that CPR's FCRA licence was suspended on February 27, 2023, for six months. It was later extended for another six months.
Established in 1973, CPR is among India's leading and oldest think tank and research centres. It first came under the scanner of Income Tax authorities in September 2022.
In a related development, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of the NGO's plea for tax exemption to Thursday. CPR moved HC after the I-T department sought to cancel its registration under Section 12A with retrospective effect, taking away its tax exemption status.
