3 NGOs lose license for 'backing' Kudankulam

The Union Home Ministry on Friday cancelled licenses of three non-governmental organisations for opposing the Russian-built nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu's Kudankulam.

According to reports, the Home Ministry cancelled the licenses after the NGOs allegedly diverted funds for the protests against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office V Narayanasamy confirmed the action against the three NGOs, but did not disclose their names.

"These NGOs were receiving funds from foreign countries for social service causes like helping the physically handicapped and eradication of leprosy but these were used for anti-nuclear protests," media quoted Narayanasamy saying.

The Minister said the three NGOs were found to be violating the Foreign Contributions (Regulations) Act guidelines by not using the funds for the cause they were received for.

The statement comes a day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accused foreign NGOs of funding protests against nuclear reactors.

Earlier this month, Narayanasamy had alleged that NGOs administered by Tuticorin church leader had received foreign funds to the tune of Rs 54 crore.

The NGOs associated with Ambroise are the Tuticorin Diocese Association (TDA) and the Tuticorin Multipurpose Social Service Society (TMSSS).

An Indian Express report said both these NGOs had FCRA clearance until last year, but their names have now been removed from the home ministry website listing over 42,000 NGOs having FCRA clearance.

Several Christian organisations, including People's Education for Action and Liberation (PEAL) and Good Vision, are also under the Home Ministry scanner, after allegations that funds from US and Scandinavian countries were used to stall work at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant.

The allegations are however being denied by the Church and the activists involved in the protest. The Prime Minister's statement was strongly condemned by People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), which is spearheading the protest.

The Prime Minister's statement is completely misleading and unfounded, PMANE coordinator SP Udaykumar earlier had said.

The government is reportedly incurring a loss to the tune of Rs 750 crore per month due to the nuclear plant not being functional yet.