As many as 10,020 NGOs were barred.
The US State Department on Tuesday welcomed India’s recent decision to lift the restrictions imposed on some NGO’s and said that it will strengthen civil society in the country.
“We certainly would welcome and do welcome any actions by the government that support and strengthen civil society. I’d refer you to the Government of India with respect to any specific actions that have been taken regarding the NGOs in India,†State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said in the department’s daily press briefing.
“We support the work, the very good work of many of these NGOs that they play in strengthening civil society, but certainly that’s a matter for the Government of India to work with these NGOs on with regard to taxes and other regulations that they need to comply with on the ground,†he said.
Mr. Toner made it clear that the US is not interfering with India’s internal affairs but said the US supports NGOs as they play important role in any democratic society.
“The United states has welcomed the Indian government’s recent decision to lift the restrictions from some NGOs,†he added.
“We’re very clear, not just with respect to India, but with many countries around the world, about our support for NGOs and the important role that they play in any democratic society. And insofar as we push for a more welcoming environment for these NGOs to work in – that’s just the way we work,†the deputy spokesman said.
As many as 10,020 Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) were barred last year and more than 14,222 NGOs were barred from receiving foreign funds after the Government of India found that they were violating norms of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).