Cong backs govt action against NGOs

Backing the government over action against the NGOs found to be prima facie involved in diversion of foreign funds, Congress on Thursday suggested that the ambit of investigations should be widened to cover all organizations which are trying to stop India's growth trajectory.

"Whether it is India's hydel energy programme in the 1980s, thermal energy programme in the 90s, or India's nuclear programme now, there has been a systematic attempt to derail the country's quest for energy," party spokesperson Manish Tewari said in New Delhi.

"Most of these agitations have very strong external linkages. Perhaps it would be appropriate for the government to see attempt to derail India's quest for energy in a wider perspective," he added.

Tewari was replying to questions on deportation of German national Sonnteg Reiner Hermann on Tuesday as well as cases filed against certain NGOs for alleged diversion of foreign funds to fuel anti-Kudankulam nuclear project protests.

Home Minister P Chidambaram said on Wednesday that there was enough evidence to show that Hermann was totally associated with the anti-Kudankulam protests which was not consistent with his tourist visa.

The minister disclosed that cases have been filed against four NGOs after it was prima facie found that they were involved in diversion of foreign funds from the purpose for which they were received. The Central Bureau of Investigation has been asked to register cases against two, while other two have been left to Tamil Nadu police.

Tewari dismissed Bharatiya Janata Party's criticism of the government over the issue saying the opposition party is in the habit of "shedding crocodile tears".

He said the BJP would be well-served to reflect what actions they took during National Democratic Alliance regime and stressed that it were United Progressive Alliance government's efforts to tighten Foreign Contribution Regulation Act regime that led to action against these NGOs and they were made accountable on their funding.